| Document And Entity Information | Feb. 20, 2020 |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Entity, Registrant Name | Boyd Gaming Corporation |
| Document, Type | 8-K |
| Document, Period End Date | Feb. 20, 2020 |
| Entity, Incorporation, State or Country Code | NV |
| Entity, File Number | 001-12882 |
| Entity, Tax Identification Number | 88-0242733 |
| Entity, Address, Address Line One | 3883 Howard Hughes Parkway, Ninth Floor |
| Entity, Address, City or Town | Las Vegas |
| Entity, Address, State or Province | NV |
| Entity, Address, Postal Zip Code | 89169 |
| City Area Code | 702 |
| Local Phone Number | 792-7200 |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common stock |
| Trading Symbol | BYD |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity, Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity, Central Index Key | 0000906553 |
