Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net revenues:
Big Fish Games	$ 104,526	$ 0	$ 196,429	$ 0
Casinos	83,770	81,779	169,185	168,165
TwinSpires	60,748	57,076	106,063	103,160
Racing	155,436	159,435	179,874	190,014
Other	4,759	5,182	8,598	9,274
Net revenues	409,239	303,472	660,149	470,613
Operating expenses:
Big Fish Games	83,446	0	165,605	0
Casinos	61,062	62,005	121,843	124,051
TwinSpires	37,607	36,811	69,388	70,388
Racing	75,850	85,483	112,360	128,703
Other	5,303	6,350	10,906	12,048
Research and development	9,847	0	20,079	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	22,035	18,666	43,607	40,131
Acquisition related charges	8,200	0	14,600	0
Insurance recoveries, net of losses	0	0	0	(431)
Operating income	105,889	94,157	101,761	95,723
Other income (expense):
Interest income	6	5	224	9
Interest expense	(7,112)	(4,961)	(14,596)	(9,934)
Equity in gains of unconsolidated investments	2,907	2,506	5,855	4,796
Gain on sale of equity investment	0		(5,817)	0
Miscellaneous, net	28	393	(160)	368
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(4,171)	(2,057)	(2,860)	(4,761)
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	101,718	92,100	98,901	90,962
Income tax provision	(46,674)	(34,767)	(45,415)	(34,329)
Net earnings	$ 55,044	$ 57,333	$ 53,486	$ 56,633
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Basic	$ 3.12	$ 3.23	$ 3.04	$ 3.20
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Diluted	$ 3.10	$ 3.21	$ 3.02	$ 3.17
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	17,331	17,531	17,300	17,475
Diluted (in shares)	17,735	17,880	17,698	17,884
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation, net of tax effect	$ (28)	$ 0	$ (415)	$ 0
Other comprehensive loss	(28)	0	(415)	0
Comprehensive earnings	$ 55,016	$ 57,333	$ 53,071	$ 56,633