Intangible asset - intellectual property (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 09, 2012	Jun. 01, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 49	$ 0	$ 66	$ 0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	49		49
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) JS 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 JS 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 JS 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
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate			0.80%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term			4 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.
Fair Value Warrant Description			The fair value of the 400,000 warrants was determined to be $800 as of June 1, 2012, the warrant issuance date.
Percentage Of Market Price Discounted For Option Pricing						11.00%
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired			200
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001		$ 0.001		$ 0.001		$ 0.001
Payment To Acquire Shares From Parties			$ 1,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$ 4		$ 4
Stock Issued During Period Shares Purchase Of Warrants			350,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period			9 Years