Consolidated Statements Of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total		Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total Stock Holders Equity [Member]	Minority Interest And Earnings Losses Equity Investments [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 802,731		$ 3,024	$ 165,658	$ 644,208	$ 4,797	$ (21,283)	$ 796,404	$ 6,327
Beginning Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2010			30,235,164				(685,315)
Shares issued under stock-based plans	105			(2,904)			3,009	105
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares							94,982
Stock-based compensation expense	3,936			3,936				3,936
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	503			503				503
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	98,136				98,136			98,136
Dividends paid	(3,088)				(3,088)			(3,088)
Unrealized derivatives gain, net of tax	70					70		70
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	(8,573)	[1]				(8,098)		(8,098)	(475)
Marketable Securities Unrealized gain (loss), Net of Tax	879	[2]				879		879
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares							(392,402)
Purchases of treasury shares	(17,478)						(17,478)	(17,478)
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(575)								(575)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	876,646		3,024	167,193	739,256	(2,352)	(35,752)	871,369	5,277
Balance, in shares, at Sep. 30, 2011			30,235,164				(982,735)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	907,590		3,024	167,683	776,060	(6,896)	(37,419)	902,452	5,138
Beginning Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2011			30,235,164				(1,011,356)
Shares issued under stock-based plans	1,251			(8,208)			9,459	1,251
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares							250,470
Stock-based compensation expense	3,982			3,982				3,982
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,082			2,082				2,082
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	82,990				82,990			82,990
Dividends paid	(3,078)				(3,078)			(3,078)
Unrealized derivatives gain, net of tax	12					12		12
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	10,038	[1]				9,939		9,939	99
Marketable Securities Unrealized gain (loss), Net of Tax	1,311	[2]				1,311		1,311
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares							(453,760)
Purchases of treasury shares	(18,215)						(18,215)	(18,215)
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(5,317)								(5,317)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(8,384)			(7,665)				(7,665)	(719)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 974,262		$ 3,024	$ 157,874	$ 855,972	$ 4,366	$ (46,175)	$ 975,061	$ (799)
Balance, in shares, at Sep. 30, 2012			30,235,164				(1,214,646)

[1] Net of tax benefit (provision) of $(1,529) and $167 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $(1,581) and $17 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

[2] Net of tax benefit (provision) of $(413) and $16 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $(705) and $(473) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.