Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 78,361	$ 63,134	$ 63,606
Pawn loans	202,982	244,640	206,343
Consumer loans, net	253,801	289,418	200,365
Merchandise held for disposition, net	146,041	167,409	139,519
Pawn loan fees and service charges receivable	40,560	48,991	38,797
Income Taxes Receivable	15,522	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other assets	38,431	35,605	34,213
Deferred tax assets	45,771	48,992	32,312
Total current assets	821,469	898,189	715,155
Property and equipment, net	255,165	261,771	250,722
Goodwill	611,240	608,216	567,830
Intangible assets, net	35,168	36,473	33,956
Other assets	12,405	13,609	15,074
Total assets	1,735,447	1,818,258	1,582,737
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	115,886	126,664	88,472
Customer deposits	12,826	11,420	11,464
Income taxes currently payable	0	5,922	19,894
Current portion of long-term debt	22,606	43,617	35,939
Total current liabilities	151,318	187,623	155,769
Deferred tax liabilities	104,524	101,711	92,277
Noncurrent income tax payable	37,094	2,703	2,602
Other liabilities	1,418	888	1,254
Long-term debt	427,777	534,713	371,969
Total liabilities	722,131	827,638	623,871
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	155,617	157,613	164,722
Retained earnings	922,347	879,434	816,496
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	4,202	3,128	3,460
Treasury shares, at cost (1,713,387 shares, 888,336 shares and 1,351,712 shares at March 31, 2013 and 2012, and at December 31, 2012, respectively)	(70,596)	(51,304)	(33,051)
Total Cash America International, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,014,594	991,895	954,651
Noncontrolling interest	(1,278)	(1,275)	4,215
Total equity	1,013,316	990,620	958,866
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,735,447	$ 1,818,258	$ 1,582,737