Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$ 0.27	$ 0.11
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 120,058	$ 20,197	$ 53,042
Restricted cash	60	8,000	60
Pawn loans	210,060	218,093	252,168
Consumer loans, net	31,897	40,843	44,853
Merchandise held for disposition, net	196,024	192,936	212,849
Pawn loan fees and service charges receivable	43,784	43,814	53,648
Income taxes receivable	2,990	0	8,881
Prepaid expenses and other assets	25,529	26,967	21,317
Deferred tax assets	0	7,778	0
Note receivable	0	376,872	0
Investment in equity securities	116,261	0	131,584
Current assets of discontinued operations	0	372,117	0
Total current assets	746,663	1,307,617	778,402
Property and equipment, net	191,749	219,107	201,054
Goodwill	487,569	495,130	487,569
Intangible assets, net	44,194	50,569	45,828
Other assets	9,447	14,378	9,594
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations	0	255,698	0
Total assets	1,479,622	2,342,499	1,522,447
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	63,214	67,432	74,331
Customer deposits	19,828	17,227	17,314
Income taxes currently payable	0	4,235	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current	22,935	0	27,820
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	0	415,183	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	22,606	0
Total current liabilities	105,977	526,683	119,465
Deferred tax liabilities	70,897	63,186	72,432
Other liabilities	927	859	878
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	0	46,679	0
Long-term debt	196,470	607,650	196,470
Total liabilities	374,271	1,245,057	389,245
Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, $0.10 par value per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 30,235,164 shares issued and outstanding	3,024	3,024	3,024
Additional paid-in capital	84,650	116,726	86,388
Retained earnings	1,036,794	1,062,737	1,030,387
Accumulated other comprehensive income	62,099	5,182	71,959
Treasury shares, at cost (2,525,192 shares, 2,140,368 shares and 1,428,495 shares as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and as of December 31, 2014, respectively)	(81,216)	(90,227)	(58,556)
Total equity	1,105,351	1,097,442	1,133,202
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,479,622	$ 2,342,499	$ 1,522,447
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	$ 0.00	$ 1.44