Financial Information for Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries - Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements
Net loss	$ (234.3)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ (30.2)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ (62.6)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Depreciation and amortization	454.3	203.0	173.4
Change in deferred income taxes	(264.3)	(107.8)	7.9
Equity in income of subsidiaries	0sgms_EquityInIncomeOfSubsidiaries	0sgms_EquityInIncomeOfSubsidiaries	0sgms_EquityInIncomeOfSubsidiaries
Non-cash interest expense	19.4us-gaap_PaidInKindInterest	8.7us-gaap_PaidInKindInterest	7.8us-gaap_PaidInKindInterest
Earnings (loss) from equity investments	7.6	(1.5)	(28.1)
Distributed earnings from equity investments	28.5	29.5	38.1
Undistributed earnings from equity investments			10.0
Stock-based compensation	24.1us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	22.3us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	24.2us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Early extinguishment of debt	25.9	5.9	15.5
Gain on sale of equity interest	(14.5)	0	0
Allowance for doubtful accounts		7.9us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	5.9us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
Changes in working capital and other	156.8	33.4	(25.3)
Net cash provided by operating activities	203.5	171.2	156.8
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital and wagering systems expenditures	(238.3)	(165.8)	(111.4)
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0	0
Equity method investments	(48.2)	(65.4)	24.9
Distributions of capital on equity investments	48.8sgms_ReturnOfCapitalOnEquityInvestments	20.7sgms_ReturnOfCapitalOnEquityInvestments	24.9sgms_ReturnOfCapitalOnEquityInvestments
Proceeds on sale of equity interest	44.9	10.0	0
Restricted cash	(0.4)	30.1	(29.4)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(3,140.6)	(1,472.9)	(24.8)
Other assets and investments	0.9	(0.7)	(1.2)
Other, principally change in intercompany investing activities	0	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,332.9)	(1,664.7)	(141.9)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds/payments on long-term debt	3,395.2us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfDebt	1,623.3us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfDebt	76.7us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfDebt
Excess tax effect from stock-based compensation plans	0.3	0.9	0.4
Payments of financing fees	(163.1)us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts	(82.6)us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts	(14.0)us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts
Net proceeds from stock issue	(18.7)us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockPlans	(2.1)us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockPlans	(4.7)us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockPlans
Common stock purchases	(29.5)	(0.8)	(68.5)
Contingent earnout payments	(13.2)	0	0
Payment on license obligations	(13.6)sgms_PaymentForLicenseObligation	0sgms_PaymentForLicenseObligation	0sgms_PaymentForLicenseObligation
Other, principally change in intercompany financing activities	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,157.4	1,538.7	(10.1)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(9.9)	(0.5)	(0.2)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	18.1	44.7	4.6
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	153.7	109.0	104.4
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	171.8	153.7	109.0
Parent Company
Condensed Financial Statements
Net loss	(234.3)	(30.2)	(62.6)
Depreciation and amortization	7.9	1.2	0.6
Change in deferred income taxes	(14.1)	1.0	(46.4)
Equity in income of subsidiaries	330.3	66.4	60.5
Non-cash interest expense	0.7	0.7	0.7
Earnings (loss) from equity investments	0	0
Distributed earnings from equity investments	0	0
Undistributed earnings from equity investments			0
Stock-based compensation	24.0	21.7	24.2
Early extinguishment of debt	0	0	0
Gain on sale of equity interest	0
Allowance for doubtful accounts		0	0
Changes in working capital and other	(4.0)	(0.4)	2.5
Net cash provided by operating activities	110.5	60.4	(20.5)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital and wagering systems expenditures	(12.9)	(6.9)	(2.8)
Investments in subsidiaries	0	(1,485.9)	0
Equity method investments	0	0	0
Distributions of capital on equity investments	0
Proceeds on sale of equity interest	0	10.0	0
Restricted cash	0	0	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Other assets and investments	(3,210.2)	0	(0.5)
Other, principally change in intercompany investing activities	0	79.7	100.1
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,223.1)	(1,403.1)	96.8
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds/payments on long-term debt	0	0	0
Excess tax effect from stock-based compensation plans	0	0	0
Payments of financing fees	0	0	0
Net proceeds from stock issue	(18.7)	(2.1)	(4.7)
Common stock purchases	(29.5)	(0.8)	(68.5)
Contingent earnout payments	0
Payment on license obligations	0
Other, principally change in intercompany financing activities	3,141.4	1,375.8	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,093.2	1,372.9	(73.2)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	(19.4)	30.2	3.1
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	57.3	27.1	24.0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	37.9	57.3	27.1
SGI
Condensed Financial Statements
Net loss	(100.0)	(80.8)	(95.8)
Depreciation and amortization	46.9	46.1	36.7
Change in deferred income taxes	24.5	9.6	61.7
Equity in income of subsidiaries	(55.9)	(29.4)	(40.0)
Non-cash interest expense	18.7	8.0	7.1
Earnings (loss) from equity investments	37.6	4.6
Distributed earnings from equity investments	0.8	1.0
Undistributed earnings from equity investments			2.6
Stock-based compensation	0	0.1	0
Early extinguishment of debt	25.9	5.9	15.5
Gain on sale of equity interest	0
Allowance for doubtful accounts		0.9	(0.3)
Changes in working capital and other	36.8	(9.3)	(9.4)
Net cash provided by operating activities	35.3	(43.3)	(21.9)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital and wagering systems expenditures	(30.1)	(30.3)	(30.2)
Investments in subsidiaries	0	35.9	(37.1)
Equity method investments	(7.6)	(40.3)	1.0
Distributions of capital on equity investments	1.6
Proceeds on sale of equity interest	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	(1.0)
Other assets and investments	29.3	0	(0.1)
Other, principally change in intercompany investing activities	(5,155.1)	(1,430.1)
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,161.9)	(1,464.8)	(67.4)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds/payments on long-term debt	5,289.2	1,728.7	93.7
Excess tax effect from stock-based compensation plans	0	0	0
Payments of financing fees	(163.1)	(82.6)	(14.0)
Net proceeds from stock issue	0	0	0
Common stock purchases	0	0	0
Contingent earnout payments	0
Payment on license obligations	0
Other, principally change in intercompany financing activities	0	(138.7)	9.9
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,126.1	1,507.4	89.6
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.6	0.3	0
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	0.1	(0.4)	0.3
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0.4	0.1
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	0.1	0	0.4
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements
Net loss	(254.2)	29.5	40.6
Depreciation and amortization	303.3	61.4	24.0
Change in deferred income taxes	(144.5)	(116.5)	(9.3)
Equity in income of subsidiaries	0	0	0
Non-cash interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from equity investments	(4.3)	(3.2)
Distributed earnings from equity investments	4.3	3.2
Undistributed earnings from equity investments			5.2
Stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Early extinguishment of debt	0	0	0
Gain on sale of equity interest	0
Allowance for doubtful accounts		6.5	0
Changes in working capital and other	105.7	40.4	6.5
Net cash provided by operating activities	10.3	21.3	67.0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital and wagering systems expenditures	(156.4)	(49.8)	(17.1)
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0	0
Equity method investments	0	0	0.2
Distributions of capital on equity investments	0
Proceeds on sale of equity interest	0	0	0
Restricted cash	(0.4)	(0.7)	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(3,140.6)	(1,489.1)	0
Other assets and investments	4.3	(0.3)	0
Other, principally change in intercompany investing activities	296.3	166.5	(50.1)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,996.8)	(1,373.4)	(67.0)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds/payments on long-term debt	(1,882.9)	(100.0)	0
Excess tax effect from stock-based compensation plans	0	0	0
Payments of financing fees	0	0	0
Net proceeds from stock issue	3,195.4	1,476.5	0
Common stock purchases	0	0	0
Contingent earnout payments	(10.0)
Payment on license obligations	(13.6)
Other, principally change in intercompany financing activities	1,699.2	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,988.1	1,376.5	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0.4	0	0
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	2.0	24.4	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	26.8	2.4	2.4
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	28.8	26.8	2.4
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements
Net loss	79.8	14.3	34.7
Depreciation and amortization	96.2	94.3	112.1
Change in deferred income taxes	(130.2)	(1.9)	1.9
Equity in income of subsidiaries	0	0	0
Non-cash interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from equity investments	(25.7)	(2.9)
Distributed earnings from equity investments	23.4	25.3
Undistributed earnings from equity investments			(2.2)
Stock-based compensation	0.1	0.5	0
Early extinguishment of debt	0	0	0
Gain on sale of equity interest	(14.5)
Allowance for doubtful accounts		0.5	6.2
Changes in working capital and other	18.3	2.7	(20.5)
Net cash provided by operating activities	47.4	132.8	132.2
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital and wagering systems expenditures	(38.9)	(78.8)	(61.3)
Investments in subsidiaries	0	28.5	85.3
Equity method investments	(40.6)	(25.1)	23.7
Distributions of capital on equity investments	47.2
Proceeds on sale of equity interest	44.9	0	0
Restricted cash	0	30.8	(29.4)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	16.2	(23.8)
Other assets and investments	49.3	(0.4)	(0.6)
Other, principally change in intercompany investing activities	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	61.9	(28.8)	(6.1)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds/payments on long-term debt	(11.1)	(5.4)	(17.0)
Excess tax effect from stock-based compensation plans	0.3	0.9	0.4
Payments of financing fees	0	0	0
Net proceeds from stock issue	(67.2)	(55.0)	(48.2)
Common stock purchases	0	0	0
Contingent earnout payments	(3.2)
Payment on license obligations	0
Other, principally change in intercompany financing activities	18.2	(53.2)	(59.9)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(63.0)	(112.7)	(124.7)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(10.9)	(0.8)	(0.2)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	35.4	(9.5)	1.2
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	69.6	79.1	77.9
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	105.0	69.6	79.1
Eliminating Entries
Condensed Financial Statements
Net loss	274.4	37.0	20.5
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0
Change in deferred income taxes	0	0	0
Equity in income of subsidiaries	(274.4)	(37.0)	(20.5)
Non-cash interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from equity investments	0	0
Distributed earnings from equity investments	0	0
Undistributed earnings from equity investments			4.4
Stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Early extinguishment of debt	0	0	0
Gain on sale of equity interest	0
Allowance for doubtful accounts		0	0
Changes in working capital and other	0	0	(4.4)
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital and wagering systems expenditures	0	0	0
Investments in subsidiaries	0	1,421.5	(48.2)
Equity method investments	0	0	0
Distributions of capital on equity investments	0
Proceeds on sale of equity interest	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Other assets and investments	3,128.2	0	0
Other, principally change in intercompany investing activities	4,858.8	1,183.9	(50.0)
Net cash used in investing activities	7,987.0	2,605.4	(98.2)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds/payments on long-term debt	0	0	0
Excess tax effect from stock-based compensation plans	0	0	0
Payments of financing fees	0	0	0
Net proceeds from stock issue	(3,128.2)	(1,421.5)	48.2
Common stock purchases	0	0	0
Contingent earnout payments	0
Payment on license obligations	0
Other, principally change in intercompany financing activities	(4,858.8)	(1,183.9)	50.0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(7,987.0)	(2,605.4)	98.2
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0	0
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization, Including Discontinued Operations

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Equity in income of subsidiaries

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Payment For License Obligation

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Payment of Contingent Liability, Financing Activities

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The cash outflow associated with other assets and investments held by the entity for investment purposes not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.

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Payments To (Proceeds From) Equity Method Investments, Net

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This element represents distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

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Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

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The effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances in continuing operations held in foreign currencies.

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This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

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Amount of cash inflow from realized tax benefit related to deductible compensation cost reported on the entity's tax return for equity instruments in excess of the compensation cost for those instruments recognized for financial reporting purposes.

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The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of equity securities, not separately or otherwise categorized as trading or available-for-sale. This element includes investments in which the entity holds a small ownership stake (generally, less than 20% of the shares outstanding) and cannot exert significant influence.

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This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

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This element represents the undistributed income (or loss) of equity method investments, net of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporations; such investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the account that represents the temporary difference that results from Income or Loss that is recognized for accounting purposes but not for tax purposes and vice versa.

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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period of all assets and liabilities used in operating activities.

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The net cash inflow or outflow during the period for the aggregate increase (decrease) associated with funds and investments that are not available for withdrawal or use (such as assets held in escrow or contractually limited as to use or disposition) and are associated with underlying transactions that are classified as investing activities.

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The increase (decrease) in cash associated with the entity's continuing operating, investing, and financing activities. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a debit balance consistent with its label.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from financing activities, including discontinued operations. Financing activity cash flows include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on, and a return of, their investment; borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed, or settling the obligation; and obtaining and paying for other resources obtained from creditors on long-term credit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

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- Definition

Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from investing activities, including discontinued operations. Investing activity cash flows include making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property, plant, and equipment and other productive assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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- Definition

Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from operating activities, including discontinued operations. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value not defined as investing or financing activities.

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- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

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- Definition

Interest paid other than in cash for example by issuing additional debt securities. As a noncash item, it is added to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

+ References

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- Definition

The net cash outflow or inflow from other investing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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- Definition

The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period.

+ References

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

The cash outflow for loan and debt issuance costs.

+ References

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

+ References

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- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of or advances to an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled (for example, an unconsolidated subsidiary, affiliate, and joint venture or equity method investment) or the acquisition of an additional interest in a subsidiary (controlled entity).

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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- Definition

The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

+ References

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from the sale of a portion of the company's business, for example a segment, division, branch or other business, during the period.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The net cash inflow or outflow from other financing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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-Paragraph 9

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net cash inflow or outflow in aggregate debt due to repayments and proceeds from additional borrowings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from the stock plan during the period.

+ References

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense related to write-down of receivables to the amount expected to be collected. Includes, but is not limited to, accounts receivable and notes receivable.

+ References

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- Definition

The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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