Latest news with #DavidLopez
Business Upturn
30-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Brightstar Capital Partners Completes Acquisition of PlayAGS for Approximately $1.1 Billion Dollars
LAS VEGAS and NEW YORK, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brightstar Capital Partners ('Brightstar'), a private equity firm focused on investing in business services, industrials, consumer, and government services and technology companies, today announced the closing of its acquisition of PlayAGS, Inc. (NYSE: AGS) ('AGS' or the 'Company'), a global full-service gaming supplier of high-performing slot, table, and interactive products. The transaction was first announced on May 9, 2024. The closing follows approval of the transaction by AGS stockholders and the receipt of all required regulatory approvals. Under the terms of the agreement, AGS stockholders will receive $12.50 per share in cash, valuing the transaction at approximately $1.1 billion. As a result, AGS is now a privately held company, and its common stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The acquisition comes amid strong growth momentum for AGS. Over the past three years, the Company has more than doubled its global slot unit sales to over 6,100 units, grown online real-money gaming content revenue by over 150%, and increased Table Products revenue by more than 50%—collectively driving three consecutive years of record revenue performance. Powered by strategic investments in R&D and a deep and diverse suite of high-performing products, AGS has become a comprehensive solutions provider across multiple product categories and has a growing global presence both in land-based and online casinos. 'We're excited to join forces with Brightstar, a partnership that marks both a pivotal moment and a transformative new chapter in AGS' growth story,' said David Lopez, CEO & President of AGS. 'With Brightstar as a strategic partner, we believe AGS is in an ideal position to accelerate growth and double-down on delivering focused, high-impact innovation across slots, table products, and online gaming. This partnership sharpens our ability to serve casino operators with differentiated content and solutions built to give them a winning edge.' 'We are thrilled to officially welcome David and the AGS team to Brightstar,' said Andrew Weinberg, Founder, CEO & Co-Chair of Brightstar. 'We believe that AGS' full-spectrum product offering and customer-centric culture set it apart in a growing industry. Our goal is to help the Company expand into new markets and continue to use technology to create exciting games and products.' Macquarie Capital served as financial advisor and Cooley LLP served as legal counsel to AGS. Jefferies LLC served as lead financial advisor to Brightstar. Barclays and Citizens JMP Securities also served as financial advisors to Brightstar. Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck served as legal counsel to Brightstar. About AGS AGS is a global gaming company dedicated to delivering a diverse mix of entertaining gaming experiences for every kind of player. With a full-spectrum product portfolio spanning slot machines, table products, card shufflers, and online gaming, AGS has grown into one of the industry's most comprehensive gaming suppliers. The Company's customer-centric culture and 'innovation with intent' philosophy fuel continuous development of high-performing products designed to drive customer success and player engagement. AGS' omnichannel strategy – bridging the land-based casino and digital gaming worlds – positions the Company to serve the evolving needs of its casino operator partners around the world. Learn more at . About Brightstar Capital Partners Brightstar Capital Partners is a middle market private equity firm with $5bn AUM that is focused on investing in business services, industrials, consumer, and government services and technology companies, where Brightstar believes it can drive significant value with respect to the management, operations, and strategic direction of the business. Since its founding in 2015, Brightstar has accumulated extensive experience partnering with family, founder, or entrepreneur-led businesses. Brightstar employs an operationally intensive 'Us & Us' approach that leverages its considerable hands-on operational expertise and deep relationship network to help companies reach their full potential. For more information, please visit AGS ContactJulia Boguslawski, Chief Marketing Officer [email protected]
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AGS Celebrates Nine Straight Years as a Best and Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation and Atlanta
LAS VEGAS, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AGS (NYSE: AGS), a global gaming supplier known for its high-performing slot, table, and interactive products, announced today it has been named one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in the Nation and in Atlanta for the ninth consecutive year. 'These awards are more than plaques on a wall—they're proof of the incredible team we've built,' said AGS President and Chief Executive Officer David Lopez. 'Our people are the engine behind everything we do, and the culture we've created together continues to be one of the things I'm most proud of.' Presented by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR), the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® awards are based on an independent research-driven assessment of company practices and employee survey results. Companies are evaluated across a comprehensive set of criteria that reflect the employee experience—spanning areas like compensation and benefits, engagement and retention, civility and inclusion, leadership, communication, and overall workplace well-being. AGS earned high marks for its focus on key areas such as benefits, wellness, community involvement, and workplace creativity—surpassing the Best and Brightest benchmark, which reflects the median score of peer companies in the same market. 'What makes this recognition meaningful is that it's based on how our employees truly feel,' said Kim Nasuta, AGS Senior Vice President of Human Resources. 'Nine years in a row speaks to the consistency of our values and how deeply embedded they are in how we hire, support, and grow our people.' AGS' Metro Atlanta offices—home to many of the company's R&D, engineering, and operations teams—continues to be a cornerstone of its innovation and culture. The Atlanta-area recognition reflects this local impact, while the national honor acknowledges AGS' broader commitment to culture across its U.S. footprint, which includes offices and game studios in Las Vegas, Reno, Scottsdale, Austin, and Oklahoma City. In addition, AGS supports a large network of remote sales and field service employees located near customer operations throughout the country—extending its culture of connection and performance well beyond its physical offices. AGS also operates globally with teams located in six countries outside of the U.S. This latest recognition comes on the heels of AGS also being named to the 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA list, solidifying its position as a standout employer in the gaming industry and beyond. About AGSAGS is a global company focused on creating a diverse mix of entertaining gaming experiences for every kind of player. Our roots are firmly planted in the Class II Native American gaming market, and our customer-centric culture and growth have helped us branch out to become a leading all-inclusive commercial gaming supplier. Powered by high-performing Class II and Class III slot products, an expansive table products portfolio, real-money gaming platforms and content, highly rated social casino solutions for operators and players, and best-in-class service, we offer an unmatched value proposition for our casino partners. Learn more at AGS Media Contact:Julia Boguslawski, Chief Marketing OfficerNikki Davis, Vice President of MarketingPR@ AGS Investor Contact:Brad Boyer, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations & Corporate OperationsInvestors@ ©2025 AGS LLC. All® notices signify marks registered in the United States. All ™ and ℠ notices signify trademarks, which are not registered on any country-wide basis. Products referenced herein are sold by AGS LLC or other subsidiaries of PlayAGS, Inc. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Veterans hold Ruck March to honor their fallen brothers and sisters on Memorial Day
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — This Memorial Day, veterans from POWER Home Remodeling in Tampa held a Ruck March to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Some people will spend the long weekend hanging out and grilling out by the pool with their families. But this group of veterans, civilians, and their families is marching four miles to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed everything for our country. Step by step, dozens of veterans and their families showed support for the fallen military men and women. 'I think people confuse Memorial Day for the start of the summer, or a day for BBQs and poolside, in reality, today is to remember those who couldn't be here because they made the ultimate sacrifice,' said David Lopez, a veteran who helped organize the event. 'To be able to come out here with friends and colleagues and to see other people celebrating this day the right way in remembering those people, that couldn't be here, it means the world to all of us veterans.' For many veterans, this holiday is a day to reflect on the sacrifices of their brothers and sisters in the military. 'Growing up, before I served, it was a day for BBQs and going to the shore, I'm from Jersey originally, being with family, having a lot of fun,' Air Force veteran John Oppici said. 'But after I served, it turned into more of a day to pay tribute for those people who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.' POWER Home Remodeling has put this Ruck March on for the past few years. They do a ruck, where they walk with a weighted pack on their backs, because it is a military tradition. 'In the military, we use it for training to get ready, but today, we're using it to symbolize the weight and the pack that we're carrying for those individuals that couldn't be here today,' Lopez said. 'When you're out there, again, it's difficult, it's uncomfortable, it's hot, it's sweaty, the weight is a lot on your shoulders, but it's nothing compared to what those men and women have went through, and what their families went through,' Oppici said. These veterans said their walk is not meant to be somber, but a day to celebrate the memories of those who laid down their lives. 'Knowing people who have served and lost their lives, it means a lot now, it's a lot different than what it was when I grew up,' Oppici said. The ruck march was followed by a flag-folding ceremony. Tampa is not the only location where POWER is holding their Ruck March, there will be 23 total marches in cities throughout the country. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Midwest city's downtown is now Mad Max-style hellhole where locals are scared to go out after 8pm
Surging crime and a diminishing police presence has turned a Kansas City neighborhood into a hellhole, leaving locals afraid to step outside after dark. Downtown Kansas City has become a hotspot for illegal street racing and reckless ATV and dirt bike riders tearing through the neighborhoods - chaos that escalated last month when a police officer was hit by an ATV, Fox 4 reported. Now, frustrated business owners and locals are weighing whether to abandon the downtown altogether, blaming city leadership and law enforcement for failing to curb the chaos and restore a sense of safety. 'This isn't a race issue, this isn't a political issue, this is a safety issue,' David Lopez, a local business owner, told Fox News, noting how dangerous chaos right outside is a constant occurrence. 'I feel as though this city is about unsafe as it's been since my family has been at 207 Southwest Boulevard, and that's 45 years this September,' he added. 'When things out of your control start to chip away at the very foundation of what you've done for four generations, it hurts.' Not only is the community feeling the impact as they return to the safety of their own homes by nightfall, but long-standing local businesses are bearing the brunt - watching foot traffic vanish and revenue slip away. 'People are going to leave - that's it,' Lopez, the general manager at Manny's Mexican Restaurant, added to the outlet. 'At 8pm on a Saturday, we used to be getting our third turn, but now at 8pm, I cut three serves, a bartender and three kitchen staff,' he continued. Bradley Gilmore, owner of Lula's Southern Cookhouse, agreed, explaining how he's personally watched crime rise and police presence disappear right outside his business. While he once supported downtown revitalization efforts, such as the 670 Park and downtown baseball, his support - like the city's police - is quickly fading. 'It's incredibly disappointing to witness the continued lack of police presence and response in our neighborhood,' Gilmore told Fox News. 'It's becoming increasingly difficult to back these large-scale projects when the basic needs of safety and accessibility are being ignored.' Last month, the issue was thrust even further into public view when a reckless ATV rider slammed into a police officer in downtown Kansas City, leaving the cop briefly hospitalized with severe head injuries, The Kansas City Star reported. At around 7pm on April 12, officers on Main Street allegedly spotted a group of illegal, off-road motorbikes and ATVs chaotically through downtown city streets, performing dangerous stunts as they rode. Last month, the issue was thrust even further into public view when a reckless ATV rider slammed into a police officer in downtown Kansas City, leaving the cop briefly hospitalized with severe head injuries An officer attempted to haul a tire deflation device at the vehicle, with the ultimate goal of apprehending the driver once the ATV was stationary. However, the driver reversed, popped the ATV into a wheelie, and lifted its front tires off the ground - striking the officer in the process - before driving over him and fleeing the scene, The Kansas City Star reported. Mayor Quinton Lucas released a statement after the purposeful crash, which said: 'Last night, a reckless ATV driver caused injuries to a Kansas City police officer, mayhem on our streets, and continued to display the lawlessness that too many dirt bike, stunt drivers, ATV users, racers and others display on streets in dense areas of our city'. 'Vehicles are not toys and the streets are now playgrounds for lawlessness,' he added, according to The Kansas City Star. Not only is the community feeling the impact as they return to the safety of their own homes by nightfall, but long-standing local businesses are bearing the brunt - watching foot traffic vanish and revenue slip away 'All have a right to enjoy our city uninterrupted by those whose actions bring harm to others.' Despite the statement, many locals in the area feel that both city leadership and police officers are continuously failing to do their due diligence in addressing the ongoing issue. Mayor Lucas had publicly encouraged residents to reach out with their concerns, yet many - including Gilmore - report never receiving a response. Now, Gilmore fears the Crossroads could easily regress into what it once was - a ghost town, abandoned and forgotten. Although some safety measures have been implemented, wary locals argue that they've never been sufficient. Across the street from Tom's Town Distilling Co., a downtown speaker repeatedly broadcasts an eerie four words: 'You Are Under Surveillance'. 'It does the opposite of making people feel safe when they are venturing around the Crossroads,' Tony Pulford, marketing coordinator at Tom's Town, told Fox News. After an officer attempted to haul a tire deflation device at the ATV last month, the driver reversed, popped the ATV into a wheelie, and lifted its front tires off the ground - striking the officer in the process - before driving over him and fleeing the scene 'Safety is an ongoing concern - we want that... but I think there are better ways to do that.' For many, if drastic action isn't taken soon, the risks are simply too great to continue living in downtown Kansas City. 'If I feel like I can't protect the people that I love and care for - and the people that I value, especially the customers that walk through my doors - I'm out,' Lopez told Fox News. The Kansas City Police Department has since announced a boost in active patrols in entertainment districts, along with a crack down on illegal street racing, sideshows and ATV activity, promising stricter punishments including arrests, tickets and tows.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AGS Wins 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award
AGS Ranks in the Top 100 Companies in the 500-999 Employee CategoryLAS VEGAS, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AGS (NYSE: AGS), a leading supplier of high-performing slot, table, and interactive products and services to the global gaming industry, is excited to announce that it has been named a 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award winner. Recognized for its commitment to fostering an exceptional, people-first culture, AGS ranked in the Top 28% of companies in the 500-999 employee category, placing the company in the Top 100 of companies in this size category across America. The USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes organizations for their commitment to creating outstanding workplace environments that prioritize employee engagement and satisfaction. AGS' strong performance in this year's awards is based on authentic employee feedback gathered through a confidential survey conducted by a third-party, HR research and technology company. 'We're really proud to be recognized as a Top Workplace,' said David Lopez, CEO of AGS. 'What makes this award so meaningful is that it comes from feedback directly from our employees across all of our U.S. offices. It shows the commitment, passion, energy and teamwork they bring every day. At AGS, we're all about creating a culture where people can thrive, grow, and be themselves—and this award just proves that we're doing something right. I couldn't be prouder of the team we've built and the culture we've created together.' The 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA Award adds to AGS' impressive list of accolades, including being recognized as a Top Workplace in 2024 for Oklahoma, Las Vegas, and Atlanta, as well as earning the prestigious Best and Brightest Companies to Work For 2024 award both nationally and in Atlanta. AGS' dedication to its people-first culture is reflected in its ongoing focus on employee engagement, professional development opportunities, competitive benefits, and work-life balance. These efforts have helped AGS create an environment where employees are motivated and empowered to perform at their best. About AGSAGS is a global company focused on creating a diverse mix of entertaining gaming experiences for every kind of player. Our roots are firmly planted in the Class II Native American gaming market, and our customer-centric culture and growth have helped us branch out to become a leading all-inclusive commercial gaming supplier. Powered by high-performing Class II and Class III slot products, an expansive table products portfolio, real-money gaming platforms and content, highly rated social casino solutions for operators and players, and best-in-class service, we offer an unmatched value proposition for our casino partners. Learn more at AGS Media Contact:Julia Boguslawski, Chief Marketing OfficerNikki Davis, Director, Marketing & CommunicationsPR@ AGS Investor Contact:Brad Boyer, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations & Corporate OperationsInvestors@ ©2025 AGS LLC. All® notices signify marks registered in the United States. All ™ and ℠ notices signify trademarks, which are not registered on any country-wide basis. Products referenced herein are sold by AGS LLC or other subsidiaries of PlayAGS, Inc. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
