Long-term Debt (Details 2) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 08, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) item	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Future minimum repayments of long-term debt
Within one year			$ 87,801		$ 87,801
1-3 years			163,388		163,388
3-5 years			854,794		854,794
Over 5 years			606,275		606,275
Total minimum payments			1,712,258		1,712,258
Long-term Debt
Interest expense			111,406	$ 105,933	329,550	$ 315,516
Long-term debt			1,712,486		$ 1,712,486				$ 1,267,637
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway And Mahoning Valley Race Course
Long-term Debt
Discount rate (as a percent)					5.00%
Capital leases
Long-term Debt
Lease term					10 years
Capital lease term renewal option					10 years
Capital lease obligation			24,900		$ 24,900				24,900
Senior secured credit facility
Long-term Debt
Gross outstanding balance			1,236,600		1,236,600
Letters of credit outstanding			23,200		23,200
Long-term debt			1,236,597		$ 1,236,597				807,500
Revolving credit facility
Long-term Debt
Term of debt					5 years
Maximum borrowing capacity							$ 633,200	$ 500,000
Gross outstanding balance			390,000		$ 390,000
Available borrowing capacity			220,000		$ 220,000
Term Loan A Facility
Long-term Debt
Term of debt					5 years
Maximum borrowing capacity							$ 146,700	$ 500,000
Gross outstanding balance			601,000		$ 601,000
Term Loan B Facility
Long-term Debt
Term of debt					7 years
Maximum borrowing capacity			250,000		$ 250,000
Gross outstanding balance			$ 245,600		$ 245,600
$300 million 5.875% senior unsecured notes due November 1, 2021
Long-term Debt
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage			5.875%		5.875%
Principal amount			$ 300,000		$ 300,000
Long-term debt			300,000		300,000				300,000
$300 million 5.875% senior unsecured notes due November 1, 2021 | Subsequent Event
Long-term Debt
Additional interest (as a percent)	0.25%
Long-term debt	$ 300,000
Other long-term obligations
Long-term Debt
Other long term obligations			147,000		147,000
Long-term debt			146,992		146,992				$ 135,000
Other long-term obligations | Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway And Mahoning Valley Race Course
Long-term Debt
Other long term obligations			131,700		131,700
Other long-term obligations | Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg
Long-term Debt
Other long term obligations			15,300		15,300
Other long-term obligations | Racetracks in Toledo and Grove City to Dayton and Austintown
Long-term Debt
Number of new facilities | item				2
Contractual obligation, relocation fee				$ 75,000
Discount rate (as a percent)				5.00%
Relocation fee payable upon opening of the facility				$ 7,500		$ 7,500
Number of semi-annual payments | item				18
Semi-annual payment amount beginning one year from the commencement of operation				$ 4,800
Effective yield				5.00%		5.00%
Interest expense			$ 1,600		$ 5,000
Other long-term obligations | City of Lawrenceburg Department of Redevelopment
Long-term Debt
Term of debt					20 years
Purchase price of hotel and event center		$ 15,300
Annual payment amount					$ 1,000
Effective yield			3.00%		3.00%
Interest expense			$ 100		$ 300