Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Net revenues
Racing	$ 160,440	$ 148,371	$ 190,622	$ 180,082
Gaming	51,371	49,459	110,707	108,546
Online	52,702	46,526	96,737	83,329
Other	6,303	5,330	10,946	9,283
Net revenues	270,816	249,686	409,012	381,240
Operating expenses
Racing	95,484	91,555	138,472	137,601
Gaming	38,291	38,237	79,231	79,639
Online	32,925	28,851	63,076	55,216
Other	6,866	5,267	12,575	9,857
Selling, general and administrative expense	20,070	18,696	36,269	34,700
Insurance recoveries, net of losses	(5,003)	(395)	(6,514)	(395)
Operating income	82,183	67,475	85,903	64,622
Other income (expense):
Interest income	35	56	53	124
Interest expense	(982)	(3,461)	(2,205)	(5,921)
Equity in loss (gain) of unconsolidated investments	(564)	460	(784)	44
Miscellaneous, net	37	3,158	70	3,615
Total other income (expense)	(1,474)	213	(2,866)	(2,138)
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	80,709	67,688	83,037	62,484
Income tax provision	(32,133)	(27,698)	(33,107)	(25,680)
Earnings from continuing operations	48,576	39,990	49,930	36,804
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes:
(Loss) earnings from operations	0	0	(1)	1
Gain on sale of assets	0	157	0	157
Net earnings and comprehensive income	$ 48,576	$ 40,147	$ 49,929	$ 36,962
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations (per share, basic)	$ 2.82	$ 2.38	$ 2.90	$ 2.19
Discontinued operations (per share, basic)	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net earnings (per basic share)	$ 2.82	$ 2.39	$ 2.90	$ 2.20
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations (per share, diluted)	$ 2.77	$ 2.36	$ 2.86	$ 2.18
Discontinued operations (per share, diluted)	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net earnings (per share, diluted)	$ 2.77	$ 2.37	$ 2.86	$ 2.19
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	16,978	16,444	16,940	16,401
Diluted (in shares)	17,502	16,935	17,443	16,899