v2.4.0.6
Consolidation of Certain Interests (Effect of LVE Consolidation on Consolidated Income Statements) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
REVENUES                      
Other revenue                 $ 145,460 $ 135,176 $ 123,603
COST AND EXPENSES                      
Selling, general and administrative                 452,926 394,991 369,217
Maintenance and utilities                 155,016 153,512 140,722
Preopening expense                 11,541 6,634 7,459
Operating income (loss) (1,038,044) 48,348 58,239 76,582 54,846 68,164 61,990 48,104 (854,875) 233,104 189,359
Other expense:                      
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized                 290,004 250,731 180,558
Income (loss) before income taxes                 (1,143,847) (6,278) 20,486
Income taxes                 220,772 (1,721) (8,236)
Net income (loss)                 (923,075) (7,999) 12,250
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                 14,210 4,145 (1,940)
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation (899,898) (15,796) 977 5,852 (491) 3,109 (2,951) (3,521) (908,865) (3,854) 10,310
Boyd Gaming Corporation
                      
REVENUES                      
Other revenue                 145,460 135,176 123,603
COST AND EXPENSES                      
Selling, general and administrative                 452,872 394,991 369,217
Maintenance and utilities                   153,512 140,722
Preopening expense                 22,437 17,492 8,405
Operating income (loss)                 (865,717) 222,246 188,413
Other expense:                      
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized                 277,681 233,978 164,454
Income (loss) before income taxes                 (1,142,366) (383) 35,644
Income taxes                 220,772 (1,721) (8,236)
Net income (loss)                 (921,594) (2,104) 27,408
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                 12,729 (1,750) (17,098)
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation                 (908,865) (3,854) 10,310
LVE, LLC
                      
REVENUES                      
Other revenue                 10,896 10,858 0
COST AND EXPENSES                      
Selling, general and administrative                 54 0 0
Maintenance and utilities                   0 0
Preopening expense                 0 0 0
Operating income (loss)                 10,842 10,858 0
Other expense:                      
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized                 12,323 16,753 16,104
Income (loss) before income taxes                 (1,481) (5,895) (16,104)
Income taxes                 0 0 0
Net income (loss)                 (1,481) (5,895) (16,104)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                 0 0 0
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation                 (1,481) (5,895) (16,104)
Eliminations
                      
REVENUES                      
Other revenue                 (10,896) (10,858) 0
COST AND EXPENSES                      
Selling, general and administrative                 0 0 0
Maintenance and utilities                   0 0
Preopening expense                 (10,896) (10,858) (946)
Operating income (loss)                 0 0 946
Other expense:                      
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized                 0 0 0
Income (loss) before income taxes                 0 0 946
Income taxes                 0 0 0
Net income (loss)                 0 0 946
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                 1,481 5,895 15,158
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation                 $ 1,481 $ 5,895 $ 16,104