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	1,251			(8,208)			9,459	1,251
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares							250,470
Stock-based compensation expense	3,982			3,982				3,982
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,082			2,082				2,082
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	82,990				82,990			82,990
Dividends paid	(3,078)				(3,078)			(3,078)
Unrealized derivatives gain, net of tax	12					12		12
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	10,038	[1]				9,939		9,939	99
Marketable Securities	1,311	[2]				1,311		1,311
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares							(453,760)
Purchases of treasury shares	(18,215)						(18,215)	(18,215)
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(5,317)								(5,317)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(8,384)			(7,665)				(7,665)	(719)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	974,262		3,024	157,874	855,972	4,366	(46,175)	975,061	(799)
Balance, in shares, at Sep. 30, 2012			30,235,164				(1,214,646)
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			(4,871)			4,871	0
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares							127,087
Stock-based compensation expense	3,899			3,899				3,899
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	595			595				595
Redemption of convertible debt	(4,573)			(4,573)				(4,573)
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	115,244				115,244			115,244
Dividends paid	(2,996)				(2,996)			(2,996)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	(371)	[1]				(260)		(260)	(111)
Marketable Securities	(254)	[2]				(254)		(254)
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares							(940,248)
Purchases of treasury shares	(45,448)						(45,448)	(45,448)
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	308								308
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	1,287			209				209	1,078
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 1,058,311		$ 3,024	$ 152,872	$ 991,682	$ 2,614	$ (91,881)	$ 1,058,311	$ 0
Balance, in shares, at Sep. 30, 2013			30,235,164				(2,164,873)

[1] Net of tax provision of $1,977 and $1,529 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $238 and $1,581 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

[2] Net of tax (provision) benefit of $(413) for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and $136 and $(705) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.