Segment Information - Information About Reported Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 Segments	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments	4
Net revenues from external customers	$ 779,325	$ 731,296	$ 696,854
Intercompany net revenues	0	0	0
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	180,837	163,089	148,013
Adjusted Corporate EBITDA	(4,606)	(4,834)	(2,523)
Insurance Recoveries, Net of Losses	375	7,006	972
Illinois HRE Trust Fund Proceeds	4,541	0	19,258
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	(21,482)	(13,993)	(9,730)
Pre-opening expenses	(3,620)	0	0
MVG interest expense, net	(170)	0	0
Other charges and recoveries, net	(2,500)	0
Other charges and recoveries, net			2,720
Depreciation and amortization	(61,750)	(55,600)	(55,170)
Interest Income (Expense), Net	(6,119)	(4,441)	(8,456)
Income tax provision	(30,473)	(33,075)	(34,289)
Earnings from continuing operations	55,033	58,152	60,795
Discontinued Operation, Net Gain (Loss)	(133)	124	3,560
Net earnings and comprehensive income	54,900	58,276	64,355
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	274,269	302,088	298,920
Intercompany net revenues	12,495	13,157	12,284
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	50,275	54,357	47,236
Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	297,473	223,112	212,629
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	80,429	64,231	58,590
Online Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	184,541	183,279	165,416
Intercompany net revenues	853	836	786
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	49,122	44,618	40,918
Other charges and recoveries, net	(500)	(900)	(900)
Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intercompany net revenues	(17,757)	(17,459)	(15,085)
Other Investments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	21,899	21,785	19,563
Intercompany net revenues	4,409	3,466	2,015
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	1,011	(117)	1,269
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	1,143	1,032	326
Churchill Downs | Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	132,845	124,255	121,886
Intercompany net revenues	6,686	5,592	5,088
Arlington Park
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Off Track Betting Palors	11
Arlington Park | Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	64,483	69,077	69,694
Intercompany net revenues	3,395	4,712	3,725
Calder | Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	36,264	64,566	62,715
Intercompany net revenues	1,263	1,583	2,307
Fair Grounds
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Off Track Betting Palors	12
Fair Grounds | Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	40,677	44,190	44,625
Intercompany net revenues	1,151	1,270	1,164
Calder Casinos | Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	78,951	77,864	82,819
Fair Grounds Slots | Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	42,156	42,881	41,553
VSI | Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	35,931	35,433	35,052
Harlows Casino | Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	52,440	56,604	53,205
Oxford Casino | Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	34,350	0	0
Riverwalk Casino | Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	$ 53,645	$ 10,330	$ 0