Exhibit 23.1

                         Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP







FORM S-8
                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


         As   independent   public   accountants,   we  hereby  consent  to  the
incorporation  by  reference in this  Registration  Statement on Form S-8 of our
report dated August 13, 1999,  included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ace
Cash  Express,  Inc.  for the  fiscal  year  ended  June  30,  1999,  and to all
references to our Firm included in this Registration Statement on Form S-8.


                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Dallas, Texas
August 24, 2000