Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended														3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Lottery contracts	Jun. 30, 2012 Lottery contracts	Dec. 31, 2010 Lottery contracts	Dec. 31, 2012 Lottery contracts	Jun. 30, 2011 Global Draw equipment	Mar. 31, 2011 Global Draw equipment	Dec. 31, 2011 Global Draw equipment	Dec. 31, 2010 Global Draw equipment	Dec. 31, 2012 Machinery, equipment and deferred installation costs	Dec. 31, 2011 Machinery, equipment and deferred installation costs	Dec. 31, 2012 Land and buildings	Dec. 31, 2011 Land and buildings	Dec. 31, 2012 Transportation equipment	Dec. 31, 2011 Transportation equipment	Dec. 31, 2012 Furniture and fixtures	Dec. 31, 2011 Furniture and fixtures	Dec. 31, 2012 Leasehold improvements	Dec. 31, 2011 Leasehold improvements	Dec. 31, 2012 Construction in progress	Dec. 31, 2011 Construction in progress	Dec. 31, 2010 Lottery Systems equipment	Dec. 31, 2012 Undeployed gaming terminals	Dec. 31, 2012 Hardware development costs	Dec. 31, 2012 Printed Products
Property and equipment, including assets under capital leases
Property and equipment, at cost	$ 848,622		$ 848,622	$ 788,529										$ 717,197	$ 661,733	$ 68,449	$ 65,379	$ 3,261	$ 3,490	$ 18,634	$ 12,679	$ 13,304	$ 12,864	$ 27,777	$ 32,384
Less: accumulated depreciation	(471,745)		(471,745)	(362,041)
Net property and equipment	376,877		376,877	426,488
Depreciation expense			122,600	76,900	99,700
Impairment charges related to long-lived assets						5,800		17,500	5,800				2,500													3,000		3,100	3,400
Fair value of long-lived assets by using Level 3 valuation techniques	20,100		20,100
Accelerated depreciation expense	$ 24,000	$ 1,900					$ 5,800			$ 1,200	$ 5,200	$ 6,400	$ 8,300														$ 27,400