Accel Entertainment Sets Revenue Record: US Gaming Market Shows Immense Strength

The landscape of video gaming terminals in the United States is currently experiencing a significant surge. Accel Entertainment has released its financial results for the second quarter of 2026, presenting figures that tell a compelling story of growth and strategic refinement. While many companies struggle with rising operational costs, Accel appears to have found a way to generate more value from a more concentrated footprint. The focus has shifted from merely increasing machine counts to maximizing the profitability of every single location.

The development in Illinois, their core market, is particularly noteworthy. Although there was a slight decrease in the total number of locations and terminals, players are spending more per machine. This trend suggests that high-quality locations and strategic partnerships are more valuable than a blanket presence in every small venue. The management strategy is clearly paying off, as evidenced by the latest profit margins.

Numbers and facts

Revenue climbed to $368 million in the second quarter of 2026, representing a ten percent increase year-over-year. The bottom line also showed remarkable improvement. Net income reached $13 million, nearly doubling the $7 million reported in the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA rose by eleven percent to an all-time quarterly record of $59 million. In total, Accel now operates in nearly 4,700 locations with approximately 29,000 terminals. In Illinois, the daily hold per terminal increased by 9 percent to $992.

"That’s precisely the outcome our strategy is designed to produce. We’re not managing this business to maximize machine count. We’re managing it to maximize revenue and profitability per location and our results reflect that." - Andy Rubenstein, CEO of Accel Entertainment

Background

A major growth driver for the future is Chicago. The company identifies significant opportunities here as the city further opens its market for video gaming terminals. Accel has already secured approval for 17 of the 39 available licenses, which represents roughly 44 percent of all licensed establishments in the city. Since the company already has a massive infrastructure in Illinois, the incremental costs for launching in Chicago remain low. Mark Phelan, who will succeed Rubenstein as CEO on August 7, is optimistic about this expansion.

Results in Louisiana are also strong. The subsidiary Toucan Entertainment saw revenue increase by 14 percent, while the terminal count in that state jumped by 27 percent. Another prestige project is the Fairmount Park Racetrack. There, live table games performed in line with expectations. The additional revenue from gaming allowed for an increase of approximately $500,000 in racing purses during the 2026 season. The long-term goal remains the development of a permanent casino at the site.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, such success stories from the US are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they prove that regulated gambling can be a stable economic factor. On the other hand, the legal situation in Germany under the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) is much more restrictive. While high revenues per machine are celebrated in the US, the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) in Germany focuses heavily on player protection. Germany has strict stake limits of one euro per spin on virtual slots. Furthermore, the LUGAS system monitors monthly deposit limits, usually capped at 1,000 euros. US operators like Accel function in a vastly different regulatory environment that is significantly more liberal than the German licensing model.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German casinos with a GGL license must compete in a market defined by strict rules regarding bonus offers and advertising. A comparison with US giants like Accel illustrates why the GGL whitelist is so vital. Only operators following German laws provide legal certainty. Playing at MGA or Curacao providers carries risks that do not exist on a GGL-licensed platform. The high profitability seen in Illinois is nearly impossible for German operators to achieve due to local taxes and levies. However, Accel's success shows that interest in gaming remains high, which could support the legal German market in the long run, provided regulation ensures fair competition.