Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 686	$ (183,822)	$ (581,252)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	259,461	266,742	315,297
Amortization of items charged to interest expense	6,599	6,040	8,112
Accretion of settlement values on long term obligations and change in contingent purchase price liability	(5,374)	689	5,024
Transaction cost for Carlino exchange			10,695
Loss on sale of fixed assets	1,286	738	3,652
Income from unconsolidated affiliates	(14,488)	(7,949)	(9,657)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	28,150	23,000	21,500
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			26,782
Deferred income taxes	57,236	2,908	(137,396)
Charge for stock-based compensation	8,223	10,666	22,809
Impairment losses and write downs	40,042	163,184	798,305
Gain on investment in corporate debt securities			(1,516)
Gain on sale of Bullwhackers			(444)
Decrease (increase), net of businesses acquired
Accounts receivable	710	10,046	5,034
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,345	(13,305)	786
Other assets	4,363	141	(36,956)
Increase (decrease), net of businesses acquired
Accounts payable	2,113	2,028	(2,175)
Accrued expenses	7,243	(19,512)	(25,551)
Accrued interest	1,910	136	(15,030)
Accrued salaries and wages	8,454	(2,530)	(2,317)
Gaming, pari-mutuel, property and other taxes	3,933	(44)	(1,592)
Income taxes	(13,383)	5,193	35,713
Other current and noncurrent liabilities	(6,404)	9,923	10,950
Other noncurrent tax liabilities	(2,123)	(12,049)	2,994
Net cash provided by operating activities	398,982	262,223	453,767
Investing activities
Capital project expenditures, net of reimbursements	(136,548)	(144,707)	(119,051)
Capital maintenance expenditures	(62,692)	(83,438)	(80,862)
Advances to Jamul Tribe	(105,658)	(47,093)	(5,602)
Purchase of note from the previous developer of the Jamul project	(24,000)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	561	1,665	3,837
Proceeds from investment in corporate debt securities			6,870
Proceeds related to damaged property and equipment			2,203
Proceeds from sale of Bullwhackers, net of cash on hand			4,996
Investment in joint ventures	(2,555)	(1,285)	(675)
Decrease in cash in escrow		18,000	8,000
Acquisition of gaming and other licenses	(50,605)	(76,596)	(1,603)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(399,508)	(42,082)	1,530
Net cash used in investing activities	(781,005)	(375,536)	(180,357)
Financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of options	9,399	9,799	51,535
Repurchase of preferred stock			(649,518)
Cash contributed to GLPI in connection with Spin-Off			(240,202)
Principal payments on financing obligation with GLPI	(46,885)	(42,222)	(7,363)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	562,076	104,935	4,745,790
Principal payments on long-term debt	(115,195)	(49,541)	(4,135,059)
Payments of other long-term obligations	(3,307)	(15,000)	(16,000)
Proceeds from insurance financing	4,720	28,888	19,233
Payments on insurance financing	(15,275)	(18,228)	(20,069)
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	14,826	10,360	10,771
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	410,359	28,991	(240,882)
Net Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	28,336	(84,322)	32,528
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	208,673	292,995	260,467
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	237,009	208,673	292,995
Supplemental disclosure
Interest expense paid, net of amounts capitalized	434,175	418,544	167,157
Income taxes paid	$ 5,116	$ 23,185	$ 69,758