Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Schedule of adjustments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of adjustments [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 47,234	$ (41,638)	$ (108,554)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	47,234	(41,638)	(119,344)
Assets	4,350,900	4,422,384
Net cash from operating activities	339,846	322,859	277,035
Boyd
Schedule of adjustments [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	47,234	(53,041)	(80,264)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			(80,264)
Assets	3,643,330	3,433,931
Net cash from operating activities	102,080	(39,524)	(229,447)
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Schedule of adjustments [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		99,414	118,221
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			118,221
Assets	4,565,001	4,390,771
Net cash from operating activities	318,391	234,242	407,349
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (100% Owned)
Schedule of adjustments [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		(56,273)	(28,167)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			(51,691)
Assets	1,452,324	1,512,893
Net cash from operating activities	(76,692)	92,617	42,719
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (Not 100% Owned)
Schedule of adjustments [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		22,643	(56,178)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			(56,178)
Assets	221	219
Net cash from operating activities	(76)	35,832	51,748
Eliminations
Schedule of adjustments [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		(54,381)	(62,166)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			(49,432)
Assets	(5,309,976)	(4,915,430)
Net cash from operating activities	$ (3,857)	$ (308)	$ 4,666

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