Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues [Abstract]
Pawn loan fees and service charges	$ 85,313		$ 79,298		$ 246,490		$ 227,940
Proceeds from disposition of merchandise	155,087		128,660		478,314		438,909
Consumer loan fees	229,435		227,563		688,956		640,199
Other	2,343		2,280		6,608		9,261
Total revenue	472,178		437,801		1,420,368		1,316,309
Cost of Revenue [Abstract]
Disposed merchandise	114,293		91,101		343,367		301,397
Consumer loan loss provision	81,533		99,693		229,722		251,774
Total Cost of Revenue	195,826		190,794		573,089		553,171
Gross Profit [Abstract]
Net revenue	276,352		247,007		847,279		763,138
Operating Expenses [Abstract]
Operations and administration	205,731		199,705		592,292		553,471
Loss on Divestitures	5,176		0		5,176		0
Depreciation and amortization	20,444		18,783		59,202		54,314
Total Expenses	231,351		218,488		656,670		607,785
Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Income from Operations	45,001		28,519		190,609		155,353
Income from Continuing Operations
Interest expense	(17,467)		(9,260)		(40,363)		(25,608)
Interest income	10		1		28		69
Foreign currency transaction loss	(159)		(741)		(439)		(1,053)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(5,991)		(346)		(22,553)		(346)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated subsidiary	0		0		0		(136)
Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest
Income before Income Taxes	21,394		18,173		127,282		128,279
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	11,478		(28,013)		50,658		12,727
Net Income, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net Income	9,916		46,186		76,624		115,552
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0		0		0		(308)
Net Income Attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	$ 9,916		$ 46,186		$ 76,624		$ 115,244
Earnings Per Share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.34		$ 1.62		$ 2.66		$ 4.01
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.34		$ 1.52		$ 2.61		$ 3.73
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract]
Basic (in shares)	29,186	[1]	28,426	[1]	28,808	[1]	28,747	[1]
Diluted (in shares)	29,312	[2]	30,379	[2]	29,371	[2]	30,857	[2]
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.035000		$ 0.035000		$ 0.105		$ 0.105

[1] Includes (i) vested and deferred restricted stock units of 299 and 301, as well as 32 and 31 shares held in the Company’s nonqualified savings plan for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively

[2] There were no anti-dilutive shares for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 5 anti-dilutive shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, respe