Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Operating activities
Net income	$ 191,732	$ 198,320
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	172,527	159,583
Amortization of items charged to interest expense	4,904	7,964
Gain on sale of fixed assets	(1,206)	(89)
Gain from unconsolidated affiliates	(3,546)	(15,370)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	8,500
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		12,212
Deferred income taxes	4,447	24,946
Charge for stock-based compensation	22,195	18,456
(Increase) decrease, net of businesses acquired
Accounts receivable	(3,754)	6,522
Insurance receivable	1,072	(955)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,002	3,212
Other assets	(7,714)	(1,646)
(Decrease) increase, net of businesses acquired
Accounts payable	(2,269)	3,599
Accrued expenses	(5,111)	(3,229)
Accrued interest	(6,538)	(11,496)
Accrued salaries and wages	2,876	(3,455)
Gaming, pari-mutuel, property and other taxes	9,921	4,367
Income taxes	(56,533)	34,700
Other current and noncurrent liabilities	7,525	2,493
Other noncurrent tax liabilities	(13,270)	(2,062)
Net cash provided by operating activities	337,760	438,072
Investing activities
Expenditures for property and equipment, net of reimbursements	(364,952)	(203,509)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	3,144	11,643
Insurance proceeds related to damaged property and equipment		3,862
Investment in joint ventures, net of proceeds received	(39,600)	(74,198)
Decrease in cash in escrow	15,800	29,900
Acquisitions of businesses and gaming licenses, net of cash acquired	(105,016)	9,585
Net cash used in investing activities	(490,624)	(222,717)
Financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of options	9,692	10,265
Repurchase of common stock		(27,036)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	256,984	1,651,610
Principal payments on long-term debt	(133,950)	(1,881,872)
Increase in other long-term obligations	10,000
Proceeds from insurance financing		892
Payments on insurance financing	(13,802)	(10,095)
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	2,932	2,317
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	131,856	(253,919)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(21,008)	(38,564)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	238,440	246,385
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	217,432	207,821
Supplemental disclosure
Cash paid for interest	65,460	85,381
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 186,436	$ 70,386