Accel Entertainment, Inc. (ACEL) Earnings
Accel Entertainment, Inc. is expected to report next earnings on August 4, 2026 (in NaN days), with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.18. ACEL has beaten EPS estimates in 7 of its last 12 reported quarters (average surprise +4.9% over the last four).
| Report date | EPS est | EPS actual | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2026 | $0.16 | $0.17 | +6.3% | $352M | +2.5% |
| Mar 3, 2026 | $0.20 | $0.19 | -4.0% | $341M | +1.7% |
| Feb 27, 2025 | $0.20 | $0.19 | -5.0% | $318M | +3.7% |
| Oct 30, 2024 | $0.18 | $0.22 | +22.2% | $302M | -0.6% |
| Jul 30, 2024 | $0.21 | $0.25 | +19.0% | $309M | +4.2% |
| Feb 28, 2024 | $0.17 | $0.26 | +52.9% | $297M | +4.2% |
| Aug 3, 2023 | $0.16 | $0.23 | +43.8% | $293M | +6.0% |
| May 3, 2023 | $0.20 | $0.25 | +25.0% | $293M | +6.0% |
| Feb 28, 2023 | $0.22 | $0.23 | +4.5% | $278M | +0.9% |
| May 4, 2022 | $0.21 | $0.19 | -9.5% | $197M | -0.5% |
| Mar 9, 2022 | $0.19 | $0.18 | -5.3% | $192M | +0.4% |
| Nov 3, 2021 | $0.18 | $0.18 | +0.0% | $193M | +4.5% |
Source: company filings + earnings calendar. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
Earnings call summary
Q1 FY2026 · May 5, 2026
AI summary of management’s prepared remarks and analyst Q&A. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
Management highlights
- Accel Entertainment had strong Q1 2026 with highest ever Q1 adjusted EBITDA. - Continued strength of distributed gaming model, momentum in developing markets, and disciplined execution. - Illinois saw continued strength, TITO rollout progress. - Chicago has exciting near-term growth opportunities. - Montana had steady performance, Grand Vision Gaming developing new content. - Nevada focused on integration and expanding footprint from Dynasty Games acquisition and Rebel Convenience Stores partnership. - Nebraska and Georgia delivered strong growth. - Fairmont Park launched live dealer table games and increased racing purses. - Operational approach includes disciplined capital deployment, service excellence, data-driven decision-making, and strong local relationships.
Guidance
- Projected full-year 2026 CapEx in range of $60 to $70 million. - Expect free cash flow to continue to grow as CapEx normalizes and developing markets scale profitably. - Board will evaluate next steps in share repurchase program context of broader capital allocation priorities.
Segment performance
First quarter revenue increased 9% year-over-year to $352 million, an all-time quarterly record. Adjusted EBITDA grew 9% to $54 million. Illinois: total revenue excluding Fairmont Park increased 6% year-over-year to $242 million, average location hold per day up 9% to $962. Nebraska: revenue up 57% year-over-year. Georgia: revenue up 43% year-over-year. Nevada: locations grew 27% and terminals 28% year-over-year. Louisiana: revenue up 12% year-over-year. Fairmont Park Casino and Racing launched live dealer table games.
Risks & headwinds
- Business subject to risk and uncertainties due to forward-looking statements. - Actual results may differ materially from discussed. - Macroeconomic environment with tariffs, inflation, geopolitical instability could impact business. - Legislative movement in video gaming terminal or skill game legalization may be limited. - Illinois Gaming Control Board's vertical integration rules contested and outcome uncertain.
Analyst Q&A
Q: Early days with Tito in Illinois, color on early player adoption metrics and cash handling costs impact.
A: Player adoption around 30-13%, still early, cash handling costs not a one-time impact.
Q: JCAR approved Illinois Gaming Control Board's vertical integration rules, impact.
A: Rule contested in circuit court, wait to see outcome.
Q: Recent trends in Illinois, impact of trade-down effect and gas prices on customer base.
A: No noticeable gas price impact, players benefit from staying closer to home.
Q: Pruning in Illinois, update and impact.
A: Pruning opportunistic, balance between new revenue and costly revenue.
Q: Plans for Fairmont Park permanent plans.
A: Still in maturation stage, will update when optimal size figured out.
Q: Legislative momentum in states for video gaming terminals.
A: Not much legislative progress expected in 2026.
Q: Nevada opportunities and acquisitions.
A: All markets aligned for potential growth through acquisitions.
Q: Chicago licensing process and Illinois M&A valuations.
A: Illinois Gaming Board processing applications, but city yet to promulgate rules; excited about Illinois as M&A market.
Q: Gas prices impact on truck stop business in Louisiana.
A: Truck stops in Louisiana thrive as local people stay closer to home, not vulnerable.
Q: EBITDA margins and future outlook.
A: Seasonality in EBITDA margins, non-regulated markets' gross margin movement to consider.
Q: Capital expenditures for Fairmont and maintenance vs growth.
A: Most capital this year in maintenance bucket with good payback.
Q: Louisiana acquisition strategy and pipeline.
A: Louisiana is focus for M&A, pipeline good