v2.4.0.6
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Income Statements) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Net revenues $ 736,983 $ 633,083
Costs and Expenses    
Operating 399,897 343,229
Selling, general and administrative 124,905 109,717
Maintenance and utilities 39,353 38,763
Depreciation and amortization 70,071 50,014
Corporate expense 15,356 12,871
Preopening expenses 2,365 1,660
Other operating charges, net 4,579 247
Intercompany Expense 0 0
Total operating costs and expenses 656,526 556,501
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 0 0
Operating income 80,457 76,582
Other expense (income):    
Interest expense 95,026 63,824
Other income (518) 0
Total other expense, net (94,508) (63,824)
Income (loss) before income taxes (14,051) 12,758
Income taxes 2,424 (6,283)
Net income (loss) (11,627) 6,475
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest 4,343 (623)
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation (7,284) 5,852
Comprehensive income (loss) (11,332) 8,915
Parent
    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Net revenues 37,175 33,009
Costs and Expenses    
Operating 462 456
Selling, general and administrative 11,814 11,339
Maintenance and utilities 0 0
Depreciation and amortization 1,714 2,130
Corporate expense 13,886 12,556
Preopening expenses 1,030 384
Other operating charges, net 2,849 29
Intercompany Expense 325 332
Total operating costs and expenses 32,080 27,226
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 27,812 25,979
Operating income 32,907 31,762
Other expense (income):    
Interest expense 43,774 36,169
Other income 0  
Total other expense, net (43,774) (36,169)
Income (loss) before income taxes (10,867) (4,407)
Income taxes 3,583 10,259
Net income (loss) (7,284) 5,852
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation (7,284) 5,852
Comprehensive income (loss) (6,989) 5,852
Guarantor Subsidiaries
    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Net revenues 424,664 442,364
Costs and Expenses    
Operating 231,768 236,987
Selling, general and administrative 61,087 62,721
Maintenance and utilities 21,457 23,948
Depreciation and amortization 30,424 32,061
Corporate expense 116 5
Preopening expenses 2,789 3,899
Other operating charges, net 1,259 247
Intercompany Expense 31,752 32,725
Total operating costs and expenses 380,652 392,593
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (4,425) 1,044
Operating income 39,587 50,815
Other expense (income):    
Interest expense 2,842 3,780
Other income 0  
Total other expense, net (2,842) (3,780)
Income (loss) before income taxes 36,745 47,035
Income taxes (1,669) (17,402)
Net income (loss) 35,076 29,633
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation 35,076 29,633
Comprehensive income (loss) 35,076 29,633
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (100% Owned)
    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Net revenues 152,350 15,111
Costs and Expenses    
Operating 79,519 15,364
Selling, general and administrative 17,229 3,114
Maintenance and utilities 3,579 508
Depreciation and amortization 22,325 693
Corporate expense 1,354 310
Preopening expenses 414 (31)
Other operating charges, net 137 0
Intercompany Expense 10,836 495
Total operating costs and expenses 135,393 20,453
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 0 0
Operating income 16,957 (5,342)
Other expense (income):    
Interest expense 25,259 0
Other income (518)  
Total other expense, net (24,741) 0
Income (loss) before income taxes (7,784) (5,342)
Income taxes (2) 1,437
Net income (loss) (7,786) (3,905)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation (7,786) (3,905)
Comprehensive income (loss) (7,491) (3,905)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (Not 100% Owned)
    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Net revenues 167,577 178,875
Costs and Expenses    
Operating 88,148 90,422
Selling, general and administrative 34,775 32,543
Maintenance and utilities 14,317 14,307
Depreciation and amortization 15,608 15,130
Corporate expense 0 0
Preopening expenses 4 132
Other operating charges, net 334 (29)
Intercompany Expense 0 0
Total operating costs and expenses 153,186 152,505
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 0 0
Operating income 14,391 26,370
Other expense (income):    
Interest expense 23,151 23,875
Other income 0  
Total other expense, net (23,151) (23,875)
Income (loss) before income taxes (8,760) 2,495
Income taxes 512 (577)
Net income (loss) (8,248) 1,918
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation (8,248) 1,918
Comprehensive income (loss) (8,248) 4,358
Eliminations
    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Net revenues (44,783) (36,276)
Costs and Expenses    
Operating 0 0
Selling, general and administrative 0 0
Maintenance and utilities 0 0
Depreciation and amortization 0 0
Corporate expense 0 0
Preopening expenses (1,872) (2,724)
Other operating charges, net 0 0
Intercompany Expense (42,913) (33,552)
Total operating costs and expenses (44,785) (36,276)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (23,387) (27,023)
Operating income (23,385) (27,023)
Other expense (income):    
Interest expense 0 0
Other income 0  
Total other expense, net 0 0
Income (loss) before income taxes (23,385) (27,023)
Income taxes 0 0
Net income (loss) (23,385) (27,023)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest 4,343 (623)
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation (19,042) (27,646)
Comprehensive income (loss) $ (23,680) $ (27,023)