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The Company recognizes gaming tax expense based on the statutorily required percentage of revenue that is required to be paid to state and local jurisdictions in the states in which wagering occurs. Individual states and local jurisdictions set gaming tax rates.

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The Company recognizes pari-mutuel expense based on the statutorily required percentage of revenue that is required to be paid to state and local jurisdictions in the states in which wagering occurs. Individual states and local jurisdictions set pari-mutuel tax rates.

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Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Advanced sales of personal seat licenses, contractual life, term one	1 year
Advanced sales of personal seat licenses, contractual life, term two	30 years
Goodwill impairment	$ 0
Indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment	0
Research & development expenditures	39,000,000	$ 39,400,000	$ 0
Advertising and marketing expense	151,000,000	130,700,000	28,800,000
Income tax benefit derived from share based compensation costs	$ 4,900,000	0	0
Minimum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Gaming tax rate	1.50%
Pari-Mutuel tax rate	0.50%
Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Gaming tax rate	46.00%
Pari-Mutuel tax rate	10.00%
Grandstands and buildings \| Minimum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life	10 years
Grandstands and buildings \| Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life	40 years
Equipment \| Minimum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life	2 years
Equipment \| Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life	10 years
Furniture and fixtures \| Minimum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life	2 years
Furniture and fixtures \| Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life	10 years
Tracks and other improvements \| Minimum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life	10 years
Tracks and other improvements \| Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life	20 years
Game Software Development \| Minimum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Capitalized computer software useful life	18 months
Game Software Development \| Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Capitalized computer software useful life	3 years
Enhancements to Game Software Development \| Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Capitalized computer software useful life	18 months
Internally developed and purchased third party software
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Capitalized computer software developed or acquired for internal use	$ 12,200,000	8,900,000	7,400,000
Capitalized computer software estimated useful life of capitalized costs	3 years
Capitalized computer software developed or acquired for internal use, amortization expense	$ 8,900,000	7,000,000	6,000,000
Internally developed and purchased third party software \| Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life	3 years
TwinSpires
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage earned on total amount wagered	18.40%
Research & development expenditures	$ 0	0	0
Racing
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage earned on total amount wagered	11.00%
Research & development expenditures	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Social Casino Games
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Average life of virtual goods	3 days
Other Casual Games
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Average life of virtual goods	4 months
Free-to-play Game Software \| Game Software Development \| Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Capitalized computer software useful life	18 months
Premium \| Game Software Development \| Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Capitalized computer software useful life	12 months