Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 84,096	$ 63,134	$ 78,663
Pawn loans	253,678	244,640	254,077
Consumer loans, net	328,281	289,418	256,825
Merchandise held for disposition, net	193,115	167,409	171,285
Pawn loan fees and service charges receivable	50,090	48,991	48,771
Income Taxes Receivable	10,931	0	684
Prepaid expenses and other assets	28,840	35,605	36,912
Deferred tax assets	46,429	48,992	39,826
Total current assets	995,460	898,189	887,043
Property and equipment, net	257,787	261,771	258,214
Goodwill	670,037	608,216	599,337
Intangible assets, net	46,860	36,473	34,877
Other assets	21,185	13,609	12,936
Total assets	1,991,329	1,818,258	1,792,407
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	137,473	126,664	109,986
Customer deposits	15,123	11,420	12,944
Income taxes currently payable	0	5,922	0
Current portion of long-term debt	22,606	43,617	44,205
Total current liabilities	175,202	187,623	167,135
Deferred tax liabilities	96,286	101,711	102,048
Noncurrent income tax payable	0	2,703	2,697
Other liabilities	1,287	888	1,007
Long-term debt	660,243	534,713	545,258
Total liabilities	933,018	827,638	818,145
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	152,872	157,613	157,874
Retained earnings	991,682	879,434	855,972
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	2,614	3,128	4,366
Treasury shares, at cost (2,164,873 shares, 1,214,646 shares and 1,351,712 shares as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, and as of December 31, 2012, respectively)	(91,881)	(51,304)	(46,175)
Total Cash America International, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,058,311	991,895	975,061
Noncontrolling interest	0	(1,275)	(799)
Total equity	1,058,311	990,620	974,262
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,991,329	$ 1,818,258	$ 1,792,407