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, 2009	$ 683,199		$ 3,024	$ 166,761	$ 532,805	$ 1,181	$ (26,836)	$ 676,935	$ 6,264
Beginning Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2009			30,235,164				(933,082)
Reissuance of treasury shares	10,854			(699)			11,553	10,854
Reissuance of treasury shares, in shares							366,097
Shares issued under stock-based plans	2,013			(6,469)			8,482	2,013
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares							289,921
Stock-based compensation expense	3,815			3,815				3,815
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,250			2,250				2,250
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	115,538				115,538			115,538
Dividends paid	(4,135)				(4,135)			(4,135)
Unrealized derivatives gain (loss), net of tax	(97)					(97)		(97)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	5,372	[1]				5,015		5,015	357
Marketable securities unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	(1,302)	[2]				(1,302)		(1,302)
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares							(408,251)
Purchases of treasury shares	(14,482)						(14,482)	(14,482)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(294)								(294)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	802,731		3,024	165,658	644,208	4,797	(21,283)	796,404	6,327
Ending Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2010			30,235,164				(685,315)
Shares issued under stock-based plans	403			(3,949)			4,352	403
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares							131,382
Stock-based compensation expense	4,934			4,934				4,934
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	1,040			1,040				1,040
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	135,963				135,963			135,963
Dividends paid	(4,111)				(4,111)			(4,111)
Unrealized derivatives gain (loss), net of tax	98					98		98
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	(12,679)	[1]				(12,287)		(12,287)	(392)
Marketable securities unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	496	[2]				496		496
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares							(457,423)
Purchases of treasury shares	(20,488)						(20,488)	(20,488)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(797)								(797)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	907,590		3,024	167,683	776,060	(6,896)	(37,419)	902,452	5,138
Ending Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2011			30,235,164				(1,011,356)
Shares issued under stock-based plans	1,784			(9,847)			11,631	1,784
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares							307,070
Stock-based compensation expense	4,804			4,804				4,804
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,638			2,638				2,638
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	107,470				107,470			107,470
Dividends paid	(4,096)				(4,096)			(4,096)
Unrealized derivatives gain (loss), net of tax	12					12		12
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	9,064	[1]				8,952		8,952	112
Marketable securities unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	1,060	[2]				1,060		1,060
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares							(647,426)
Purchases of treasury shares	(25,516)						(25,516)	(25,516)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,806)								(5,806)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(8,384)			(7,665)				(7,665)	(719)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 990,620		$ 3,024	$ 157,613	$ 879,434	$ 3,128	$ (51,304)	$ 991,895	$ (1,275)
Ending Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2012			30,235,164				(1,351,712)

[1] Net of tax benefit (provision) of $(1,426), $626 and $219 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

[2] Net of tax benefit (provision) of $(570), $(266) and $700 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.