Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2010
Revenues	$ 2,203,847	$ 1,859,802	$ 1,642,468
Operating expenses:
Cost of service	784,756	665,017	584,609
Sales, general and administrative	1,027,304	863,191	734,580
Processing system intrusion	84,438	0	0
Total costs and expenses	1,896,498	1,528,208	1,319,189
Operating income	307,349	331,594	323,279
Other income (expense):
Interest and other income	9,946	10,774	4,629
Interest and other expense	(16,848)	(18,161)	(17,519)
Total nonoperating income (expense)	(6,902)	(7,387)	(12,890)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	300,447	324,207	310,389
Provision for income taxes	(82,881)	(95,076)	(87,379)
Income from continuing operations	217,566	229,131	223,010
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(975)	(3,901)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	217,566	228,156	219,109
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax provision of $771, $644, $3,709 and $1,949, respectively	(29,405)	(18,918)	(15,792)
Net income attributable to Global Payments	188,161	209,238	203,317
Amounts attributable to Global Payments:
Income from continuing operations	188,161	210,213	207,218
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(975)	(3,901)
Net income attributable to Global Payments	$ 188,161	$ 209,238	$ 203,317
Basic earnings per share attributable to Global Payments:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.39	$ 2.63	$ 2.56
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ (0.01)	$ (0.05)
Net income attributable to Global Payments (in dollars per share)	$ 2.39	$ 2.62	$ 2.51
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Global Payments:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.37	$ 2.61	$ 2.52
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ (0.01)	$ (0.04)
Net income attributable to Global Payments (in dollars per share)	$ 2.37	$ 2.60	$ 2.48
Dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.08