Consolidated Statements Of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Treasury Shares, At Cost [Member]	Total Shareholders' Equity	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 3,024	$ 165,658	$ 644,208	$ 4,797	$ (21,283)	$ 796,404	$ 6,327	$ 802,731
Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2010	30,235,164				(685,315)
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares					92,982
Shares issued under stock-based plans		(2,852)			2,937	85		85
Stock-based compensation expense		1,236				1,236		1,236
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation		474				474		474
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.			36,378			36,378		36,378
Dividends paid			(1,040)			(1,040)		(1,040)
Unrealized derivatives gain, net of tax				15		15		15
Foreign currency translation gain, net of tax				4,399		4,399	232	4,631	[1]
Marketable securities unrealized gain, net of tax				466		466		466	[2]
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares					(277,366)
Purchases of treasury shares					(11,589)	(11,589)		(11,589)
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest							(591)	(591)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2011	3,024	164,516	679,546	9,677	(29,935)	826,828	5,968	832,796
Balance, in shares, at Mar. 31, 2011	30,235,164				(869,699)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	3,024	167,683	776,060	(6,896)	(37,419)	902,452	5,138	907,590
Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2011	30,235,164				(1,011,356)
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares					167,765
Shares issued under stock-based plans		(5,805)			6,304	499		499
Stock-based compensation expense		1,555				1,555		1,555
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation		1,289				1,289		1,289
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.			41,467			41,467		41,467
Dividends paid			(1,031)			(1,031)		(1,031)
Unrealized derivatives gain, net of tax				12		12		12
Foreign currency translation gain, net of tax				9,594		9,594	21	9,615	[1]
Marketable securities unrealized gain, net of tax				750		750		750	[2]
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares					(44,745)
Purchases of treasury shares					(1,936)	(1,936)		(1,936)
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest							(944)	(944)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 3,024	$ 164,722	$ 816,496	$ 3,460	$ (33,051)	$ 954,651	$ 4,215	$ 958,866
Balance, in shares, at Mar. 31, 2012	30,235,164				(888,336)

[1] Net of tax (provision)/benefit of $(1,105) and $148 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

[2] Net of tax (provision) of $(403) and $(251) for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.