SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 344,245	$ 344,436	$ 994,695	$ 1,047,466
Income (loss) from operations	64,187	50,836	172,352	167,336
Accretion of discount to the relinquishment liability	(1,243)	(2,062)	(3,730)	(6,186)
Interest income	1,533	1,842	4,421	3,559
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(42,379)	(41,581)	(128,213)	(103,047)
Loss on early exchange of debt	0	(17)	(403)	(14,323)
Other income (expense), net	53	7	(1,732)	(31)
Net income	22,151	9,025	42,695	47,308
Loss attributable to non-controlling interests	146	336	2,767	1,147
Net income attributable to Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority	22,297	9,361	45,462	48,455
Capital expenditures incurred			43,221	34,131
Total assets	2,174,484		2,174,484		2,253,707
Mohegan Sun
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	266,699	264,876	772,571	811,838
Income (loss) from operations	57,396	44,801	158,654	148,424
Capital expenditures incurred			16,821	29,967
Total assets	1,444,451		1,444,451		1,484,369
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	77,228	79,560	221,155	235,628
Income (loss) from operations	12,435	10,716	32,441	31,660
Capital expenditures incurred			3,260	3,558
Total assets	561,746		561,746		570,078
Corporate and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	318	0	969	0
Income (loss) from operations	(5,644)	(4,681)	(18,743)	(12,748)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures incurred			23,140	606
Total assets	$ 168,287		$ 168,287		$ 199,260