Accel Entertainment, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a distributed gaming operator in the United States. It is involved in the installation, maintenance, and operation of gaming terminals; redemption devices that disburse winnings and contain automated teller machine (ATM) functionality; and other amusement devices in authorized non-casino locations, such as restaurants, bars, taverns, convenience stores, liquor stores, truck stops, and grocery stores. The company also provides licensed establishment partners gaming solutions that appeal to players who patronize those businesses. In addition, it operates stand-alone ATMs in gaming and non-gaming locations, as well as amusement devices, including jukeboxes, dartboards, pool tables, pinball machines, and other related entertainment equipment. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated 13,639 video gaming terminals across 2,584 locations in Illinois. Accel Entertainment, Inc. is headquartered in Burr Ridge, Illinois.
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Here are 1-2 brief analogies for Accel Entertainment (ACEL):
- Accel Entertainment is like the Square or Clover for local bars and restaurants that want to add regulated video slot machines.
- They are like Caesars or MGM, but for placing and operating slot machines individually in hundreds of local bars and restaurants instead of large casinos.
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- Video Gaming Terminal (VGT) Operations: Accel Entertainment provides, maintains, and services regulated video gaming terminals in various licensed establishments, primarily in Illinois.
- Amusement Device Operations: The company also supplies and services non-gaming amusement devices, such as jukeboxes and dartboards, to its partner locations.
- ATM Services: Accel Entertainment offers ATM services to its client establishments, providing an additional amenity for their patrons.
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Accel Entertainment (ACEL) primarily sells its services to other companies, operating on a Business-to-Business (B2B) model.
Accel Entertainment's primary customers are **thousands of small, independent businesses** that host their video gaming terminals (VGTs). These establishments partner with Accel to provide regulated gaming entertainment to their patrons.
Due to the highly fragmented nature of its customer base, Accel Entertainment does not have a small number of "major customer companies" in the traditional sense, particularly not large, publicly traded corporations with stock symbols. Instead, its customers are predominantly private, local businesses across Illinois and Pennsylvania.
The categories of businesses that serve as Accel Entertainment's customers include:
- Bars and Restaurants: Local taverns, pubs, and dining establishments that offer gaming as an additional amenity to their patrons.
- Truck Stops: Facilities catering to truckers, which often include convenience stores, restaurants, and gaming areas.
- Fraternal and Veterans Organizations: Private clubs and posts (e.g., American Legion, VFW, Moose Lodge) that provide gaming options for their members.
It is not possible to list specific names of customer companies or their symbols, as Accel's business model involves partnerships with a very large number of local, privately owned establishments rather than a few major corporate clients.
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- International Game Technology PLC (IGT)
- Light & Wonder, Inc. (LNW)
- Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ALL)
- Incredible Technologies
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Andrew Rubenstein, Chief Executive Officer
Andrew Rubenstein co-founded Accel Entertainment in 2009, serving as its Chief Executive Officer and President since July 2019, and also as a Director on the company's Board. He also founded Accel Entertainment Gaming LLC and Accel Entertainment LLC. Prior to Accel, Mr. Rubenstein was a Co-Owner and Partner of Seven LLC and owned and operated Super Liquors, Inc., which was the largest liquor store chain in Central Illinois by revenue. He has also been a Partner at SEVEN haircare, All Star Auto Glass, and Proctor Lane Investments, and started his career as a Consultant at Arthur Andersen Consulting.
Mathew Ellis, Chief Financial Officer
Mathew Ellis was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Accel Entertainment effective May 1, 2022. Before this role, he served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy for Accel, where he oversaw the company's M&A strategy, capital raising, financial planning and analysis, and investor relations functions. Mr. Ellis played a key role in the acquisitions of Century Gaming and Tom's Amusement Company. His prior experience includes serving as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis for Transworld Systems Inc. and beginning his career as a Senior Auditor for Deloitte.
Mark Phelan, President – US Gaming
Mark Phelan has served as President – US Gaming since October 2023. He also previously held the role of Interim Chief Financial Officer for Accel Entertainment.
Derek Harmer, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Derek Harmer serves as Accel Entertainment's General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. He began his career in the gaming industry as a Deputy Attorney General, acting as in-house counsel to the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission. His prior roles include Director of Regulatory Affairs, Director of Native American Business Development, and Director of Sales.
Karl Peterson, Chairman
Karl Peterson is the Chairman of Accel Entertainment, Inc. He is the founder of Hotwire, Inc., a company he led from its launch in 2000 through its sale to InterActiveCorp (now Expedia) in 2003. Mr. Peterson is a Senior Partner at TPG Global LLC and the Managing Partner of TPG Pace Group, which focuses on sponsoring SPACs and other permanent capital solutions for companies. He has led investments for TPG in various sectors, including technology, media, financial services, and travel, and oversaw TPG's European operations. Before founding Hotwire, he was a principal at TPG and a financial analyst at Goldman, Sachs & Co. LLC.
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The key risks to Accel Entertainment's (ACEL) business are:
- Regulatory Changes: Accel Entertainment operates in a highly regulated gaming industry, making it susceptible to changes in laws, taxation, and licensing requirements across its operational states. For instance, a 1% increase in the Illinois Video Gaming Terminal (VGT) tax has already been identified as a factor that could create margin headwinds for the company. Broader regulatory shifts or the imposition of tighter controls in key markets could significantly impact Accel's operations and profitability.
- Geographic Concentration: A substantial portion of Accel Entertainment's revenue, approximately 82%, is generated from Illinois and Montana. This high geographic concentration exposes the company to increased risks from adverse changes in local or regional economic conditions, unemployment rates, or regulatory environments within these specific states. The loss of a major customer in Nevada due to an ownership change also underscored the potential impact of customer concentration within a market.
- Competition and Shifting Consumer Preferences: Accel operates in a competitive gaming market that is subject to market volatility and evolving consumer behaviors. A significant risk identified is the potential long-term shift towards online gaming, which could divert consumers away from Accel's traditional video gaming terminal model. While the company has shown consistent growth in Illinois, broader market fluctuations and changes in consumer spending patterns remain an underlying concern for the gaming sector.
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The clear emerging threat for Accel Entertainment (ACEL) is the potential legalization and widespread adoption of online casino gaming (iGaming) in its core market, particularly Illinois. Accel's business model is fundamentally tied to patrons playing video gaming terminals in physical establishments. Legislative efforts to legalize iGaming in Illinois are ongoing and, if successful, would introduce a highly convenient and competitive alternative to Accel's land-based offerings. This could directly cannibalize ACEL's existing customer base and revenue by shifting player spending from physical terminals to online platforms, similar to how digital streaming services disrupted physical media rentals.
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Accel Entertainment (ACEL) operates primarily in two main addressable markets: Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) and Coin-Operated Amusement Machines (COAMs).
Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs)
The addressable market for Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) in Illinois, a key state for Accel Entertainment, was approximately $2.7 billion in Net Terminal Income (NTI) in 2022. In 2024, the state of Illinois, which includes VGTs, casinos, and sports wagering, generated nearly $1.76 billion in combined gaming tax revenues for state and local communities. Illinois' regulated VGT market is considered the largest distributed network of its kind globally.
Coin-Operated Amusement Machines (COAMs) / Amusement Devices
- In Georgia, players spent around $3 billion per year on coin-operated amusement machines. The net revenue collected from COAMs in Georgia was approximately $1.4 billion in both 2023 and fiscal year 2024.
- The overall U.S. coin-operated entertainment machine market was estimated at approximately $2.9 billion in 2024. Globally, the coin-operated amusement devices market was valued at $10.97 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $12.11 billion in 2025.
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Here are the 3-5 expected drivers of future revenue growth for Accel Entertainment (ACEL) over the next 2-3 years:
- Core Market Optimization: Accel Entertainment plans to continue optimizing its routes in established markets such as Illinois and Montana. This strategy involves focusing on higher-yielding locations and enhancing the existing base of gaming terminals, which is expected to lead to incremental growth in average revenue per machine. The ongoing rollout of "Ticket-In, Ticket-Out" (TITO) technology in Illinois is also anticipated to support this optimization by enhancing player convenience and streamlining operations.
- Expansion into Developing and New Markets: The company is prioritizing profitable growth in developing markets like Nebraska, Georgia, and Louisiana, where legislative changes have been favorable and strong double-digit revenue growth has been observed. Accel aims to build scale and gain market share in these regions through both organic growth and strategic bolt-on acquisitions.
- Strategic Acquisitions and Integrations: Accel Entertainment has a history of growth through acquisitions and continues to eye targeted M&A opportunities, particularly bolt-on acquisitions in key states like Louisiana. The successful integration and ramp-up of recent acquisitions, such as Toucan Gaming in Louisiana and Fairmount Park Casino & Racing in Illinois, are expected to contribute significantly to revenue in the coming years. Fairmount Park, in particular, is seen as a meaningful growth driver with plans for potential phase two expansion as customer engagement increases.
- Growth in Gaming Terminal Counts and Locations: Accel Entertainment consistently reports an increase in the number of gaming terminals and locations it serves. This expansion of its footprint directly contributes to revenue growth by reaching a broader customer base and increasing the availability of its gaming offerings.
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Share Repurchases
- Accel Entertainment’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program of up to $200 million on November 22, 2021, and replenished the program back to $200 million on February 27, 2025.
- As of September 30, 2025, the company had repurchased 16,081,203 shares for a total cost of $167 million under this program.
- In the third quarter of 2025, Accel repurchased approximately $7 million of its Class A-1 common stock.
Share Issuance
- In September 2020, Accel Entertainment completed a public offering of 8,000,000 shares of its Class A-1 Common Stock at $10.50 per share, raising $84,000,000 for general corporate purposes.
Outbound Investments
- Accel Entertainment closed the acquisition of Toucan Gaming, a distributed gaming operator in Louisiana, on November 1, 2024.
- The company also acquired the FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing in Collinsville, Illinois, with the transaction closing on December 2, 2024.
- Accel's M&A pipeline remains active, with a focus on disciplined and accretive transactions.
Capital Expenditures
- Accel Entertainment reaffirmed its full-year 2025 capital expenditure forecast to be between $75 million and $80 million.
- The projected 2025 capital expenditures include $39 million to $41 million for legacy markets, $5 million to $7 million for Louisiana, and $31 million to $32 million for Fairmount Park, covering Phase 1 completion and initial Phase 2 planning.
- Year-to-date capital expenditures as of Q3 2025 totaled $74 million.
