Accel Entertainment, Inc. (ACEL) Stock Analysis

Why this analysis is different

• A sector-relative MoonshotScore — five pillars (business quality, financial safety, valuation, growth durability, momentum) re-ranked nightly against the full universe of US-listed common stocks.
• An AI Council read across up to eight perspectives — value, macro, quantitative, and momentum lenses — that shows where they disagree instead of averaging the tension away.
• Figures come straight from FMP and Yahoo Finance filings data. The AI writes the narrative around the numbers — it never edits the numbers.

Accel Entertainment, Inc. (ACEL) Consumer Business Overview

Accel Entertainment, Inc. operates as a distributed gaming provider in the U.S., specializing in video gaming terminals (VGTs) across non-casino venues. With a focus on recurring revenue and partnerships with local establishments, Accel offers a unique entertainment ecosystem, distinguishing itself through its distributed model and geographic concentration in Illinois.

What Is the Investment Thesis for ACEL?

Accel Entertainment presents a notable research candidate due to its established market position in the distributed gaming sector. The company's focus on non-casino locations provides a unique niche, capitalizing on the convenience and accessibility sought by casual gamers. With a P/E ratio of 16.96, Accel demonstrates reasonable valuation relative to its earnings. A key growth catalyst is the potential expansion into new geographic markets beyond Illinois, leveraging its proven business model. The company's free cash flow of $0.04 billion indicates financial health and the capacity for future investments and acquisitions. However, investors may want to evaluate the regulatory risks associated with the gaming industry and the potential impact of economic downturns on consumer spending.

Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis

ACEL Key Highlights

Market Cap of $938M reflects Accel Entertainment's current valuation in the distributed gaming market.

• P/E Ratio of 16.96 suggests the company is reasonably valued compared to its earnings.
• Profit Margin of 3.8% indicates the company's profitability, with room for potential improvement through operational efficiencies.
• Gross Margin of 31.8% highlights the company's ability to generate revenue after accounting for the cost of goods sold.
• Free Cash Flow of $0.04B demonstrates the company's capacity to generate cash, supporting potential investments and growth initiatives.

Who Are ACEL's Competitors?

ACEL is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.

AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance This table mixes two scoring engines — compare a number only with others carrying the same tag.

What Are ACEL's Key Strengths?

Established presence in the Illinois distributed gaming market.

• Recurring revenue model with long-term contracts.
• Strong relationships with licensed establishment partners.
• Diversified service offerings, including VGTs, ATMs, and amusement devices.

What Are ACEL's Weaknesses?

Geographic concentration in Illinois limits growth potential.

• Reliance on regulatory approvals for expansion.
• Exposure to economic downturns and consumer spending fluctuations.
• Profit margin of 3.8% is relatively low.

What Could Drive ACEL Stock Higher?

Potential expansion into new geographic markets beyond Illinois, pending regulatory approvals.

• Continued growth in the number of video gaming terminals (VGTs) in operation.
• Strategic acquisitions of smaller distributed gaming operators to consolidate market share.
• Implementation of technological innovations to enhance gaming experiences.

What Are the Key Risks for ACEL?

Insider selling — insiders were net sellers of roughly $4.0M recently.

• Regulatory changes and increased competition in the distributed gaming market.
• Economic downturns impacting consumer spending on leisure activities.
• Technological obsolescence of gaming equipment.
• Reliance on regulatory approvals for expansion into new markets.
• Potential for litigation and compliance issues related to gaming operations.

What Are the Growth Opportunities for ACEL?

• Geographic Expansion: Accel Entertainment has the opportunity to expand its operations into new states and regions. By replicating its successful business model from Illinois, the company can tap into new markets with unmet demand for distributed gaming. The market size for distributed gaming is estimated to grow as more states legalize and regulate video gaming terminals in non-casino locations. Timeline for expansion depends on regulatory approvals and market entry strategies, but initial expansion efforts could begin within the next 1-2 years.
• Strategic Acquisitions: Accel can pursue strategic acquisitions of smaller distributed gaming operators to consolidate market share and expand its geographic footprint. The fragmented nature of the distributed gaming market presents opportunities for Accel to acquire complementary businesses and integrate them into its existing operations. The timeline for acquisitions depends on identifying suitable targets and negotiating favorable terms, but potential acquisitions could be pursued within the next 2-3 years.
• Technological Innovation: Investing in technological innovation, such as mobile gaming platforms and enhanced gaming terminals, can attract a broader customer base and increase revenue per location. By offering innovative gaming experiences, Accel can differentiate itself from competitors and enhance customer engagement. The timeline for implementing technological innovations depends on development and testing cycles, but initial deployments could begin within the next 1-2 years.
• Partnership Expansion: Accel can expand its partnerships with licensed establishments to increase the number of video gaming terminals in operation. By building strong relationships with local businesses, Accel can secure exclusive agreements and expand its presence in key markets. The timeline for partnership expansion depends on sales and marketing efforts, but ongoing efforts to secure new partnerships can yield results within the next 6-12 months.
• ATM and Amusement Device Expansion: Accel can grow its revenue by expanding its ATM and amusement device offerings in gaming and non-gaming locations. By providing additional services to its establishment partners, Accel can increase its revenue per location and enhance the overall customer experience. The timeline for expanding ATM and amusement device offerings depends on sales and marketing efforts, but initial deployments could begin within the next 6-12 months.

What Are ACEL's Competitive Advantages?

• Established network of video gaming terminals (VGTs) in Illinois.
• Strong relationships with licensed establishment partners.
• Recurring revenue model based on VGT performance.
• Proprietary technology and expertise in distributed gaming operations.

What Does ACEL Do?

Accel Entertainment, Inc. was founded with the vision of transforming the distributed gaming landscape in the United States. The company focuses on providing gaming solutions to licensed establishments such as restaurants, bars, taverns, convenience stores, and truck stops. Accel's core business involves the installation, maintenance, and operation of video gaming terminals (VGTs), redemption devices, and ATMs. These services are designed to enhance the entertainment offerings of its partners and attract patrons to their businesses. Accel also provides amusement devices, including jukeboxes, dartboards, and pool tables. As of December 31, 2021, Accel operated 13,639 VGTs across 2,584 locations in Illinois, demonstrating a significant market presence in the state. The company's headquarters are located in Burr Ridge, Illinois. Accel Entertainment has grown to become a key player in the distributed gaming market by focusing on building strong relationships with its establishment partners and providing reliable, high-quality gaming solutions. The company's business model emphasizes recurring revenue through its network of VGTs and related services.

What Products and Services Does ACEL Offer?

• Install and maintain video gaming terminals (VGTs) in non-casino locations.
• Operate redemption devices that disburse winnings and contain ATM functionality.
• Provide gaming solutions to licensed establishment partners.
• Offer stand-alone ATMs in gaming and non-gaming locations.
• Operate amusement devices, including jukeboxes, dartboards, and pool tables.
• Provide entertainment equipment to restaurants, bars, taverns, and convenience stores.

How Does ACEL Make Money?

• Generate revenue through the operation of video gaming terminals (VGTs) in non-casino locations.
• Share revenue with licensed establishment partners based on VGT performance.
• Earn fees from ATM transactions and amusement device rentals.
• Provide maintenance and support services for VGTs and related equipment.

What Industry Does ACEL Operate In?

Accel Entertainment operates within the gambling, resorts, and casinos industry, specifically focusing on the distributed gaming segment. This segment has seen growth due to increasing acceptance of legalized gaming and the convenience of non-casino locations. The industry is competitive, with various players offering similar gaming solutions. Accel differentiates itself through its strong presence in Illinois and its focus on building relationships with local establishments. The market is subject to regulatory changes and economic fluctuations, impacting consumer spending on leisure activities.

Who Are ACEL's Key Customers?

• Restaurants and bars seeking to enhance their entertainment offerings.
• Taverns and convenience stores looking to attract more customers.
• Liquor stores and truck stops aiming to increase revenue.
• Grocery stores seeking to provide additional entertainment options.

Accel Entertainment, Inc. (ACEL) Valuation Context

Valued at $938M, ACEL is classified as a small-cap stock. Analyst price targets span from $14.00 to $15.00, with a consensus of $14.33. At the current price of $11.53, that implies approximately 24% upside potential. Relative to its peer group, ACEL's quantitative score of 82/100 is above the peer average of 47/100.

ACEL Revenue & Earnings Trend

In Jun 2026, ACEL generated $368.1M in top-line revenue, marking a sequential increase of 4.7%. The company recorded net income of $12.5M, with diluted EPS of $0.15. Revenue has increased across the last three reported quarters, suggesting sustained momentum for this small-cap Consumer Cyclical company. Across the four most recent quarters, ACEL averaged $0.17 in diluted EPS.

Company Profile

Accel Entertainment, Inc. operates in the Gambling, Resorts & Casinos industry within the Consumer Cyclical sector. It is headquartered in Burr Ridge, US. The company is led by CEO Mark T. Phelan. ACEL has traded publicly since 2017.

Return on equity for Accel Entertainment, Inc. stands at 19.0%, a gauge of how efficiently it converts shareholder capital into profit. Return on assets is 6.9%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. ACEL trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 16.96, below the Consumer Cyclical sector average of ~32.70x. A current ratio of 2.71 indicates the company holds enough short-term assets to cover its near-term obligations.

Accel Entertainment, Inc.'s Piotroski F-Score is 8/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — signaling solid underlying fundamentals. Its Altman Z-Score of 2.83 places it in the grey zone, a middle ground that warrants monitoring.

Accel Entertainment, Inc. has beaten Wall Street's EPS estimate in 4 of its last 8 reported quarters — more hits than misses. Reported results have landed about 3.2% above estimates on average.

Wall Street analysts project Accel Entertainment, Inc. revenue of about $1.44B for fiscal 2026, with EPS near $0.69. The estimate reflects 5 contributing analysts.

Over the past six months, Accel Entertainment, Inc. insiders filed 55 SEC Form 4 transactions — 27 sales and 28 purchases. On net that is roughly 249K shares acquired (about $4.0M) — insiders putting money in tends to read as conviction.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

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