CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (62,627)	$ (12,570)	$ (149,201)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	173,370	118,603	141,766
Change in deferred income taxes	7,877	(81)	124,143
Stock-based compensation	24,159	21,538	22,807
Non-cash interest expense	7,788	8,107	7,163
Earnings from equity investments	(28,073)	(29,391)	(49,090)
Distributed earnings from equity investments	38,074	35,167	34,411
Loss on sale of assets held for sale	0	0	8,390
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	15,464	4,185	2,932
Allowance for doubtful accounts	5,910	2,855	102
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions
Accounts receivable	(25,587)	10,960	(4,498)
Inventories	(2,631)	(3,645)	4,136
Other current assets	(9,558)	1,036	24,365
Accounts payable	10,087	(2,095)	(2,915)
Accrued liabilities	1,539	12,600	6,919
Other	958	3,809	(857)
Net cash provided by operating activities	156,750	171,078	170,573
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(12,199)	(8,577)	(9,352)
Lottery and gaming systems expenditures	(44,776)	(43,459)	(62,926)
Other intangible assets and software expenditures	(54,357)	(39,848)	(36,372)
Proceeds from asset disposals	103	1,728	465
Change in other assets and liabilities, net	(1,279)	2,134	86
Equity method investments	0	(37,210)	(203,795)
Restricted Cash	(29,401)	(771)	860
Distributions of capital on equity investments	24,891	17,817	0
Proceeds from sale of Racing Business	0	0	35,942
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(24,824)	(52,953)	(12,493)
Net cash used in investing activities	(141,842)	(161,139)	(287,585)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments under revolving credit facility	0	0	0
Payment on long-term debt	312,457	0	355,542
Payments on long-term debt	(235,787)	(7,806)	(323,854)
Payments of financing fees	(14,002)	(14,620)	(13,655)
Purchases of treasury stock	(68,457)	0	(26,335)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans	393	139	502
Net redemptions of common stock under stock-based compensation plans	(4,714)	(2,354)	(1,995)
Net cash used in financing activities	(10,110)	(24,641)	(9,795)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(185)	(5,177)	(9,043)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	4,613	(19,879)	(135,850)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	104,402	124,281	260,131
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	109,015	104,402	124,281
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Total investment in International Terminal Leasing		28,500
Total cash and noncash payment to International Terminal Leasing		4,700
Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Amount of Consideration Received			26,300
Notes Receivable	10,298	0	10,000
Cash Paid During the Period for [Abstract]
Interest	85,882	97,199	86,486
Income taxes, net of refunds	$ 7,511	$ 8,354	$ (3,393)