Earnings Per Share Computation (Reconciliation Of Numerators And Denominators For Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share Computation [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	$ 46,186		$ 11,703		$ 115,244		$ 82,990
Total weighted average basic shares	28,426	[1]	29,536	[1]	28,747	[1]	29,599	[1]
Shares applicable to stock-based compensation	102	[2]	164	[2]	92	[2]	188	[2]
Convertible debt	1,851	[3]	1,675	[3]	2,018	[3]	1,856	[3]
Total weighted average diluted shares	30,379	[4]	31,375	[4]	30,857	[4]	31,643	[4]
Net income - basic	$ 1.62		$ 0.40		$ 4.01		$ 2.80
Net income - diluted	$ 1.52		$ 0.37		$ 3.73		$ 2.62
Vested restricted stock units, in shares	301		291		308		285
Non-qualified savings plan, in shares	31		31		31		31
Anti-dilutive shares	0		0		25

[1] Includes vested and deferred restricted stock units of 301 and 291, as well as 31 and 31 shares held in the Company's nonqualified deferred compensation plan for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and vested and deferred restricted stock units of 308 and 285, as well as 31 and 31 shares held in the Company's nonqualified deferred compensation plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

[2] For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, includes shares related to unvested restricted stock unit awards. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, includes shares related to outstanding option awards that were exercisable and shares related to unvested restricted stock unit awards.

[3] The shares issuable with respect to the Company's senior unsecured convertible notes due 2029 (the “2029 Convertible Notes”) have been calculated using the treasury stock method. The Company intends to settle the principal portion of the convertible debt in cash; therefore, only the shares related to the conversion spread have been included in weighted average diluted shares.

[4] There were 25 anti-dilutive shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and no anti-dilutive shares for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.