Note 16 - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue		$ 77,786	$ 79,377	$ 74,509	$ 73,042	$ 72,095	$ 75,526	$ 72,822	$ 64,856	$ 304,714	$ 285,299	$ 211,955
Gross profit[1]	[1]	54,945	55,728	53,674	53,899	51,138	52,923	53,701	48,599
Income from operations		7,815	5,579	1,995	8,348	1,918	10,110	11,024	2,238	23,737	25,290	14,502
Net (loss) income attributable to PlayAGS, Inc.		$ 1,423	$ (5,536)	$ (7,557)	$ (82)	$ (10,345)	$ 4,347	$ (5,310)	$ (9,538)	$ (11,752)	$ (20,846)	$ (45,106)
Basic (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.04	$ (0.16)	$ (0.21)		$ (0.29)	$ 0.12	$ (0.15)	$ (0.30)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.61)	$ (1.94)
Diluted (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.04	$ (0.16)	$ (0.21)		$ (0.29)	$ 0.12	$ (0.15)	$ (0.30)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.61)	$ (1.94)

[1] Gross profit is total revenues less cost of gaming operations and cost of equipment sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization.