Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Revenue
Pawn loan fees and service charges	$ 75,914		$ 72,899
Proceeds from disposition of merchandise	178,717		208,383
Consumer loan fees	210,205		172,840
Other	3,292		3,366
Total Revenue	468,128		457,488
Cost of Revenue
Disposed merchandise	121,335		138,321
Consumer loan loss provision	74,852		62,383
Total Cost of Revenue	196,187		200,704
Gross Profit
Net Revenue	271,941		256,784
Expenses
Operations and administration	176,824		170,155
Depreciation and amortization	17,531		14,621
Total Expenses	194,355		184,776
Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Income from Operations	77,586		72,008
Income from Continuing Operations
Interest expense	(7,445)		(7,176)
Interest income	63		29
Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain	(377)		87
Equity in loss of unconsolidated subsidiary	(111)		(117)
Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest
Income before Income Taxes	69,716		64,831
Provision for income taxes	25,794		24,308
Net Income, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net Income	43,922		40,523
Net Income Loss [Abstract]
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	4		944
Net Income Attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	$ 43,926		$ 41,467
Earnings Per Share:
Basic	$ 1.51	[1]	$ 1.40	[1]
Diluted	$ 1.40	[2]	$ 1.30	[2]
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	29,100		29,616
Diluted	31,371		31,912
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.035		$ 0.035

[1] Includes vested and deferred restricted stock units of 310 and 279, as well as 31 and 32 shares held in the Company's nonqualified deferred compensation plan for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

[2] There were 87 anti-dilutive shares for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and no anti-dilutive shares for the three months ended March 31, 2012.