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, 2010	$ 802,731		$ 3,024	$ 165,658	$ 644,208	$ 4,797	$ (21,283)	$ 796,404	$ 6,327
Beginning Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2010			30,235,164				(685,315)
Shares issued under stock-based plans	403			(3,949)			4,352	403
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares							131,382
Stock-based compensation expense	4,934			4,934				4,934
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	1,040			1,040				1,040
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	135,963				135,963			135,963
Dividends paid	(4,111)				(4,111)			(4,111)
Unrealized derivatives gain (loss), net of tax	98					98		98
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	(12,679)	[1]				(12,287)		(12,287)	(392)
Marketable securities unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	496	[2]				496		496
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares							(457,423)
Purchases of treasury shares	(20,488)						(20,488)	(20,488)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(797)								(797)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	907,590		3,024	167,683	776,060	(6,896)	(37,419)	902,452	5,138
Ending Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2011			30,235,164				(1,011,356)
Shares issued under stock-based plans	1,784			(9,847)			11,631	1,784
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares							307,070
Stock-based compensation expense	4,804			4,804				4,804
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,638			2,638				2,638
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	107,470				107,470			107,470
Dividends paid	(4,096)				(4,096)			(4,096)
Unrealized derivatives gain (loss), net of tax	12					12		12
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	9,064	[1]				8,952		8,952	112
Marketable securities unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	1,060	[2]				1,060		1,060
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares							(647,426)
Purchases of treasury shares	(25,516)						(25,516)	(25,516)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,806)								(5,806)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(8,384)			(7,665)				(7,665)	(719)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	990,620		3,024	157,613	879,434	3,128	(51,304)	991,895	(1,275)
Ending 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
Redemption of convertible debt	7,621			7,621				7,621
Stock-based compensation expense	4,908			4,908				4,908
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	595			595				595
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	142,528				142,528			142,528
Dividends paid	(3,981)				(3,981)			(3,981)
Unrealized derivatives gain (loss), net of tax	0					0		0
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	1,664	[1]				1,775		1,775	(111)
Marketable securities unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	(254)	[2]				(254)		(254)
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares							(1,000,277)
Purchases of treasury shares	(47,631)						(47,631)	(47,631)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	308								308
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	1,287			209				209	1,078
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,082,423		$ 3,024	$ 150,833	$ 1,017,981	$ 4,649	$ (94,064)	$ 1,082,423	$ 0
Ending Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2013			30,235,164				(2,224,902)

[1] Net of tax (provision) benefit of $(1,177), $(1,426) and $626 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

[2] Net of tax benefit (provision) of $136, $(570) and $(266) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.