Consolidated Statements Of Net Earnings And Comprehensive Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net revenues:
Racing	$ 298,270	$ 307,544	$ 324,570
Gaming	212,629	142,273	71,875
Online	165,416	121,407	71,986
Other	20,539	14,121	2,072
Net revenues	696,854	585,345	470,503
Operating expenses:
Racing	257,459	271,530	280,983
Gaming	157,875	117,946	51,469
Online	113,243	88,206	50,765
Other	22,738	13,663	1,599
Selling, general and administrative expenses	64,529	62,434	50,954
Operating income	81,010	31,566	34,733
Other income (expense):
Interest income	468	185	896
Interest expense	(8,924)	(6,179)	(1,657)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated investments	(1,113)	(571)	(960)
Miscellaneous, net	23,643	2,897	1,504
Total other income (expense)	14,074	(3,668)	(217)
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	95,084	27,898	34,516
Provision for income taxes	(34,289)	(8,341)	(16,835)
Earnings from continuing operations	60,795	19,557	17,681
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes:
Loss from operations	(1)	(5,827)	(853)
Gain on sale of assets	3,561	2,623
Net earnings	$ 64,355	$ 16,353	$ 16,828
Net earnings per common share data:
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 3.59	$ 1.27	$ 1.28
Discontinued operations	$ 0.21	$ (0.21)	$ (0.06)
Net earnings	$ 3.80	$ 1.06	$ 1.22
Diluted
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 3.55	$ 1.26	$ 1.27
Discontinued operations	$ 0.21	$ (0.21)	$ (0.06)
Net earnings	$ 3.76	$ 1.05	$ 1.21
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	16,638	15,186	13,582
Diluted	17,125	15,666	14,040