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, 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	499			(5,805)			6,304	499
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares							167,765
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 (loss), net of tax	9,615	[1]				9,594		9,594	21
Marketable Securities Unrealized gain (loss), Net of Tax	750	[2]				750		750
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	958,866		3,024	164,722	816,496	3,460	(33,051)	954,651	4,215
Balance, in shares, at Mar. 31, 2012			30,235,164				(888,336)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	990,620		3,024	157,613	879,434	3,128	(51,304)	991,895	(1,275)
Beginning Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2012			30,235,164				(1,351,712)
Shares issued under stock-based plans	0			(4,077)			4,077	0
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares							106,080
Stock-based compensation expense	1,568			1,568				1,568
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	513			513				513
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	43,926				43,926			43,926
Dividends paid	(1,013)				(1,013)			(1,013)
Unrealized derivatives gain, net of tax	0					0		0
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	434	[1]				433		433	1
Marketable Securities Unrealized gain (loss), Net of Tax	641	[2]				641		641
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares							(467,755)
Purchases of treasury shares	(23,369)						(23,369)	(23,369)
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(4)								(4)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	0			0				0	0
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 1,013,316		$ 3,024	$ 155,617	$ 922,347	$ 4,202	$ (70,596)	$ 1,014,594	$ (1,278)
Balance, in shares, at Mar. 31, 2013			30,235,164				(1,713,387)

[1] Net of tax benefit (provision) of $1,420 and $(1,105) for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

[2] Net of tax benefit (provision) of $(345) and $(403) for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.