What Accel Entertainment does

Accel Entertainment is the largest video gaming terminal (VGT) operator in the United States, operating approximately 28,353 gaming terminals across 4,540 licensed partner locations in 10 states (Illinois, Montana, Nevada, Louisiana, Nebraska, Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania) as of Q1 2026, with approximately 32% market share in Illinois. The company's core business is placing and operating VGTs, redemption machines, and amusement devices at bars, restaurants, convenience stores, truck stops, and fraternal/veterans organizations under a regulated revenue-share model that splits slot income between the establishment (32.5%), the terminal operator (Accel, 32.5%), the State of Illinois (29%), the municipality (5%), and Light & Wonder (<1%) for central communications. Accel also owns Fairmount Park Casino & Racing in Collinsville, Illinois, a racino acquired in 2024 featuring 250+ slot machines, live table games, a FanDuel Sportsbook, and approximately 65 Thoroughbred race days per year.

The company's technology stack centers on proprietary platforms that wrap around third-party gaming hardware: the AE Accelerator portal provides location partners with real-time analytics on cabinet performance, license tracking, and financial dashboards; AE Player Rewards is a three-tier loyalty program with a mobile app; AEPlayer TV delivers in-venue interactive content; TITO (Ticket-In Ticket-Out) technology is being rolled out across the terminal base; and the 24/7 Service Solutions Call Center is staffed by nearly 200 in-house (not outsourced) technicians operating from nine Illinois support centers, achieving a 92% first-fix rate. Accel maintains in-house compliance with 4 attorneys and 7 specialists plus a dedicated lobbying team, a critical asset given that regulatory licensing is the primary gatekeeper of the business.

Accel generates revenue primarily through VGT transaction-based revenue sharing, augmented by racino operations at Fairmount Park, amusement equipment leases (Arachnid dart boards, Diamond/Valley pool tables, Golden Tee simulators, TouchTunes jukeboxes), cooperative marketing fees, and subscription services such as the $25/month Accel Loyalty Engine. FY2025 revenue reached $1.331 billion (+8.1% YoY) with adjusted EBITDA of $210.1 million and net income of $51.3 million (+45.3% YoY), and Q1 2026 set an all-time quarterly revenue record of $352 million (+9% YoY). Distribution is direct-to-establishment via dedicated Relationship Managers and a field sales force, with the company carrying a conservative 1.6x net leverage position following a $900 million senior secured credit facility closed in September 2025. The next major growth catalyst is entry into the newly legalized Chicago VGT market, which management estimates could add approximately 2,500 locations and $50 million of incremental annual EBITDA by FY2030.

Name

Accel Entertainment

Legal name

Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC

Website

https://accelentertainment.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Accel Entertainment is the largest U.S. video gaming terminal operator, placing approximately 28,353 regulated VGTs across 4,540 licensed bars, restaurants, truck stops, and fraternal establishments in 10 states under a revenue-share model, while also operating the Fairmount Park racino in Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Gaming Terminal Operations

NAICS

Other Gambling Industries (713290), Casinos (except Casino Hotels) (71321)

SIC

Computer Terminals (3575)

akta.pro primary industry

Electronic Table Games (ETGs) & Stadium Gaming (MPAEAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

iCasino Player Support & Operations Outsourcing (CX, VIP, Retention) (MPAEABAO)

Keywords

• Video gaming terminals
• Gaming route operations
• Casino gaming services
• Amusement equipment leasing
• Gaming compliance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bolingbrook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Video Gaming Terminal Revenue Share: Accel generates primary revenue through a profit-sharing model with licensed establishments. Under Illinois regulations, the revenue split is: establishment 32.5%, Terminal Operator 32.5%, State 29%, municipality 5%, with less than 1% to Light & Wonder for Central Communications System maintenance. The company owns, services, and maintains VGTs placed at partner locations.
2. Casino/Racino Operations: Revenue from Fairmount Park Casino & Racing in Collinsville, Illinois, including slot machines (250+), live table games (Blackjack, Roulette), FanDuel Sportsbook, and Thoroughbred horse racing with approximately 65 race days annually.
3. Louisiana Video Gaming Route: Toucan Gaming subsidiary operates video gaming devices at truck stops and licensed establishments in Louisiana, with 50 devices at Rice Palace Truck Stop Casino in Crowley (expanding to 60), representing approximately 8% of Louisiana route operations totaling 778 devices.
4. Amusement Equipment & Leagues: Revenue from providing and servicing amusement equipment including dart boards (Arachnid Galaxy 3 Live), pool tables (Diamond Billiards, Valley), Golden Tee golf simulators, and jukeboxes, along with access to Illinois Darts premier dart league and statewide pool leagues.
5. Cooperative Marketing Services: Marketing services including co-op advertising reimbursement (25%/33%/50% split), digital marketing assessments ($25 fee), and promotional materials. Additional services include Accel Loyalty Engine ($25 monthly fee).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Accel Entertainment operates as a distributed video gaming terminal operator, placing and maintaining over 28,000 VGTs across 4,540+ licensed establishments (bars, restaurants, convenience stores, truck stops, and fraternal/veterans organizations) in 10 US states. The company provides turn-key gaming solutions including terminal ownership, installation, ongoing maintenance, regulatory compliance support, cash collection, marketing assistance, and revenue-sharing arrangements under the Illinois Video Gaming Act. Accel also operates Fairmount Park Casino & Racing, a racino in Collinsville, Illinois, and is expanding into the newly legalized Chicago video gaming market.

Product overview

Accel Entertainment operates as a distributed gaming operator providing a comprehensive suite of video gaming terminals (VGTs) and support services to licensed establishments. The core product is video gaming terminals placed across bars, restaurants, convenience stores, truck stops, and fraternal/veteran organizations. The company complements this with technology platforms including AE Accelerator (analytics portal), AE Player Rewards (loyalty program), AEPlayer TV (interactive content), and the Accel Loyalty Engine (promotions management). Additional offerings include amusements such as TouchTunes jukeboxes, dart leagues, pool tables, and Golden Tee simulators. The company also operates venue-based gaming through Fairmount Park Casino & Racing in Illinois, and is expanding into the Chicago market following regulatory approval.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AE Player Rewards: Exclusive innovative loyalty program free to all partner locations with three membership status levels, weekly and monthly giveaways, and Instant Win opportunities
• Fairmount Park Casino & Racing
• AE Accelerator
• AE Player Mobile App
• Accel Loyalty Engine (ALE)
• Toucan Gaming
• Bulldog Gaming
• Century Gaming Management (CGT)
• Rice Palace Truck Stop Casino
• AEPlayer TV
• Illinois Darts
• The Winning Ticket

Products and services

• Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs)

Quantifiable outcome

• 43% increase in AE Player Rewards members during 3-month $10,000 promotion
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Rice Palace Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 June 2026Accel's Toucan Gaming subsidiary acquired the assets of Rice Palace Inc. and South Louisiana Gaming Inc., operators of Rice Palace Truck Stop Casino in Crowley, Louisiana. The acquisition adds 50 video gaming devices (expanding to 60) representing an 8% increase in Louisiana route operations.
• Deloitte & Touche LLPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 11 September 2025Accel appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as its new independent auditor for fiscal year 2026, succeeding KPMG LLP after completion of the 2025 audit.
• Fairmount HoldingscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2024Accel announced acquisition of Fairmount Holdings (owner of FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing) for approximately $35 million through share issuance. The acquisition extends Accel's presence in local gaming market including a racetrack with ~65 race days annually and a master sports betting license, with an $85-$95 million investment plan for casino development.
• FanDuelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFairmount Park Casino & Racing features a FanDuel Sportsbook as part of the integrated racino property. The sportsbook represents the company's sports betting operations within the Illinois market.
• South Louisiana Gaming Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcquired alongside Rice Palace Inc., South Louisiana Gaming Inc. operated video gaming devices at the Rice Palace Truck Stop Casino location.
• Dynasty GamesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAccel completed acquisition of Dynasty Games route operation assets in Northern Nevada, adding 20 locations to expand Nevada slot route operations.
• Rebel Convenience StoresminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNevada route expansion through deal covering 55 Rebel convenience store locations, contributing to 13% growth in Nevada slot route operations in Q4.
• Illinois Gaming BoardcoreOthersAccel operates as a licensed Terminal Operator under Illinois Gaming Board regulation. All VGT operations require IGB licensing and ongoing compliance oversight.
• Light & WondercoreTechnology or IntegrationLight & Wonder maintains the Central Communications System connecting all Illinois slot machines. Accel pays less than 1% of slot machine revenue to Light & Wonder for this service as mandated by Illinois Video Gaming Act.

Scale indicators24 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Golden Entertainment: Operates distributed gaming routes in Nevada and Illinois (including tavern gaming) and owns casinos, making it the closest comparable in distributed VGT operations and venue-based gaming.
• Inspired Entertainment: Provides gaming terminals, content, and server-based route gaming solutions for amusement, gaming, and lottery markets, overlapping directly with Accel's distributed VGT and amusement business.

Broad incumbents

• PlayAGS: Designs and supplies Class II and Class III slot machines and table products to casinos and route operators, supplying the type of VGT cabinets Accel deploys across its route.
• Light & Wonder: Global gaming equipment and content provider that operates the mandated Central Communications System for Illinois VGTs and supplies the underlying game content for Accel's terminals.
• International Game Technology (IGT): Provides gaming machines, systems, and lottery services globally, including VGT/slot hardware and central systems used by route operators comparable to Accel.
• Everi Holdings: Provides gaming machines, fintech, and loyalty solutions to casinos and route operators, with overlapping route/gaming operations and FinTech enablement for distributed gaming.
• Churchill Downs Incorporated: Owns and operates racetracks, regional casinos, and sports betting (including retail and online) — directly comparable to Accel's Fairmount Park racino and route footprint.
• Boyd Gaming: Regional casino operator with FanDuel partnership exposure that competes for the same Midwest and U.S. discretionary gaming dollar as Accel's terminals and Fairmount Park.
• Penn Entertainment: Operates regional casinos and an integrated ESPN BET online sportsbook, competing for Illinois and Midwest gaming wallet share alongside Accel's route and racino offerings.
• Caesars Entertainment: Major national casino and online gaming operator with significant Illinois footprint, serving as a broader incumbent competitor for both route-level and destination-level gaming demand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/accelentertainment
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• Facebookfacebook.com/accelentertainment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A4 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Accel Entertainment