Consolidated Statements Of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury shares, at cost	Total share- holders’ equity	Non- controlling interest
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)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares issued under stock-based plans	0					4,833	0
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares						124,108
Adjustments to APIC, stock-based plans			(4,833)
Stock-based compensation expense	2,791		2,791				2,791
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	569		569				569
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	69,058			69,058			69,058
Dividends paid	(2,009)			(2,009)			(2,009)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	(3,347)				(3,236)		(3,236)	(111)
Marketable Securities	(254)				(254)		(254)
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares						(879,478)
Purchases of treasury shares	(42,934)					(42,934)	(42,934)
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	308							308
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	1,287		209				209	1,078
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	1,016,089	3,024	156,349	946,483	(362)	(89,405)	1,016,089
Balance, in shares, at Jun. 30, 2013		(30,235,164)				(2,107,082)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,082,423	3,024	150,833	1,017,981	4,649	(94,064)	1,082,423
Beginning Balance, in shares, at Dec. 31, 2013		(30,235,164)				(2,224,902)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares issued under stock-based plans	0					5,652	0
Shares issued under stock-based plans, in shares						130,694
Adjustments to APIC, stock-based plans			(5,652)
Stock-based compensation expense	3,146		3,146				3,146
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(149)		(149)				(149)
Adjustments to APIC, Equity Component of Convertible Debt	(30,267)		(61,994)				(30,267)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities,						31,727
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities	747,085					747,085
Net income attributable to Cash America International, Inc.	66,708			66,708			66,708
Dividends paid	(1,964)			(1,964)			(1,964)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	3,349				3,349		3,349
Marketable Securities	0
Purchases of treasury shares, in shares						(35,479)
Purchases of treasury shares	(1,360)					(1,360)	(1,360)
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0
Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	$ 1,121,886	$ 3,024	$ 86,184	$ 1,082,725	$ 7,998	$ (58,045)	$ 1,121,886
Balance, in shares, at Jun. 30, 2014		(30,235,164)				(1,382,602)