Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Net revenues
Racing	$ 157,387	$ 160,440	$ 185,200	$ 190,622
Gaming	66,887	51,371	138,976	110,707
Online	52,531	52,702	95,447	96,737
Other	6,968	6,303	12,223	10,946
Net revenues	283,773	270,816	431,846	409,012
Operating expenses
Racing	90,160	95,484	131,280	138,472
Gaming	49,624	38,291	100,612	79,231
Online	33,218	32,925	63,580	63,076
Other	6,573	6,866	12,000	12,575
Selling, general and administrative expenses	22,096	20,070	39,654	36,269
Insurance recoveries, net of losses	0	(5,003)	(375)	(6,514)
Operating income	82,102	82,183	85,095	85,903
Other income (expense):
Interest income	89	35	99	53
Interest expense	(1,256)	(982)	(2,732)	(2,205)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated investments	(631)	(564)	(795)	(784)
Miscellaneous, net	1,023	37	1,030	70
Total other income (expense)	(775)	(1,474)	(2,398)	(2,866)
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	81,327	80,709	82,697	83,037
Income tax provision	(31,029)	(32,133)	(31,340)	(33,107)
Earnings from continuing operations	50,298	48,576	51,357	49,930
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes:
Loss from operations	0	0	(1)	(1)
Net earnings and comprehensive income	$ 50,298	$ 48,576	$ 51,356	$ 49,929
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Net earnings (in dollars per share), Basic	$ 2.85	$ 2.82	$ 2.91	$ 2.90
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Net earnings (in dollars per share), Diluted	$ 2.81	$ 2.77	$ 2.87	$ 2.86
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	17,268	16,978	17,239	16,940
Diluted (in shares)	17,921	17,502	17,882	17,443