Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net Income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	$ 9,916	$ 66,708
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	75,217
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	9,916	(8,509)
Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization	29,078	30,324
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs	1,035	2,146
Consumer loan loss provision	9,200	15,447
Stock-based compensation	3,247	3,146
Deferred income taxes, net	(1,676)	7,457
Excess income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(256)	0
Non-cash loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt	216	0
Non-cash (gain) loss on disposition of equity securities	(1,225)	0
Other	4,128	4,443
Interest Income from Investment Note Receivable	0	(7,629)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired:
Merchandise other than forfeited	3,656	4,026
Pawn loan fees and service charges receivable	3,223	1,494
Finance and service charges on consumer loans	535	1,940
Restricted Cash	33	7,940
Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets	(5,850)	(3,236)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(1,420)	(19,950)
Current and noncurrent income taxes	5,053	9,103
Other operating assets and liabilities	3,082	3,480
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	61,975	51,622
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations	0	229,612
Net cash provided by operating activities	61,975	281,234
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Pawn loans made	(375,817)	(404,091)
Pawn loans repaid	225,833	239,934
Principal recovered through dispositions of forfeited pawn loans	155,952	164,299
Consumer loans made or purchased	(249,770)	(328,013)
Consumer loans repaid	254,061	319,727
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(1,204)
Purchases of property and equipment	(6,883)	(22,631)
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities	351	0
Repayment of Notes Receivable from Related Parties	0	425,780
Dividends Received	0	122,384
Other investing activities	1,215	86
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	4,942	516,271
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	0	(131,233)
Net cash provided by investing activities	4,942	385,038
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Net payments under bank lines of credit	0	(193,717)
Debt issuance costs paid	(4)	(303)
Payments on/repurchases of notes payable	(12,411)	(276,920)
Excess income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	256	0
Treasury shares purchased	(57,682)	(1,360)
Accelerated share repurchases forward contact	(3,293)	0
Dividends paid	(2,798)	(1,964)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	(75,932)	(474,264)
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations	0	(70,677)
Net cash used in financing activities	(75,932)	(544,941)
Effect of exchange rates on cash	(41)	4,356
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(9,056)	125,687
Change in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations	0	(32,305)
Change in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations	(9,056)	93,382
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	53,042	19,748
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 43,986	$ 113,130