Intellectual property (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 17	$ 17	$ 0	$ 0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	102	102
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	204	204
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	204	204
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	204	204
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	204	204
Patent Transfer Description		Pursuant to the Sale Agreement, (i) J&S sold certain patents to MGT Gaming in exchange for 1,000 shares (constituting 100% ownership) of MGT Gaming Common Stock, par value $0.001; (ii) the Company purchased from J&S 550 MGT Gaming Shares constituting 55% ownership in exchange for $200 cash and a four (4) year warrant to purchase 350,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $4.00 per share, subject to certain anti-dilution provisions (the "Warrants"); (iii) the Company and J&S agreed to grant rights of first refusal, "tag-along" and "drag-along" rights to one another with respect to their respective MGT Gaming Shares.
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	800	800
Stock Issued Warrants Fair Value		400,000
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate		0.80%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	4 years	5 years
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate		75.00%
Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price	$ 4	$ 4
Percentage For Consideration Of Patent		55.00%
Percentage For Consideration Of Patent By Non Controlling Interests		45.00%
Consideration Of Patent By Non Controlling Interests Value		$ 819
Issuance Of Warrants In Anticipation		50,000
Additional Patent Transfer Description		Additionally, the Company has the right to purchase an additional 250 MGT Gaming Shares from J&S in exchange for a cash payment of $1,000 and a four (4) year warrant to purchase 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock for an exercise price of the lower of (i) $6.00 per share and (ii) 110% of the closing price of the common stock on the date of issuance.
Warrants Issuance Date		Jun. 01, 2012
Warrants Market Price Discount Percentage	11.00%	11.00%
Black Scholes Pricing [Member]
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate		0.80%