Note 10 - Operating Segments (Detail) - Financial Information of Reportable Segments (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 63,386	$ 58,327	$ 185,493	$ 162,025
Gross profit:
Gross Profit	40,022	36,222	118,332	101,484
Operating income:
Operating Income	13,393	12,711	39,267	31,913
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation And Amortization	6,260	6,075	18,657	17,951
Capital expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	6,363	5,151	21,412	20,560
Utility [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	24,382	22,575	68,988	59,108
Gross profit:
Gross Profit	15,285	12,852	42,622	35,284
Operating income:
Operating Income	13,334	11,208	36,986	30,294
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation And Amortization	1,874	2,252	5,549	5,451
Capital expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	1,557	2,171	3,767	6,537
Proprietary Table Games [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	12,994	10,994	38,623	32,766
Gross profit:
Gross Profit	10,634	8,671	31,994	26,338
Operating income:
Operating Income	8,481	7,445	25,122	23,205
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation And Amortization	1,359	1,414	3,962	4,183
Capital expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	1,109	668	3,313	6,843
Electronic Table Systems [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	6,053	6,793	21,183	26,721
Gross profit:
Gross Profit	2,055	3,197	8,868	12,684
Operating income:
Operating Income	(846)	328	(967)	3,860
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation And Amortization	1,630	1,397	4,940	5,300
Capital expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	2,634	1,299	4,860	4,376
Electronic Gaming Machines [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	19,957	17,965	56,699	43,430
Gross profit:
Gross Profit	12,048	11,502	34,848	27,178
Operating income:
Operating Income	8,701	8,336	24,948	18,493
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation And Amortization	336	38	879	166
Capital expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	211	354	5,341	421
Unallocated Corporate [Member]
Operating income:
Operating Income	(16,277)	(14,606)	(46,822)	(43,939)
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation And Amortization	1,061	974	3,327	2,851
Capital expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	$ 852	$ 659	$ 4,131	$ 2,383