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Accel Entertainment, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 August 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 10% to record: Revenue was $368 million, up 10% from the second quarter of 2025, described by the company as a quarterly record. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 11% to $59 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $59 million, up 11% from the second quarter of 2025; the company reconciles it to net income as a non-GAAP measure. Source
  • Illinois revenue up 6%: Illinois revenue excluding Fairmount Park rose 6%, driven by hold-per-day gains and a higher-performing customer mix. Source
  • Ticket-in, ticket-out now fully deployed: The entire Illinois installed base is now TITO-enabled; management is encouraged by early customer adoption and expects benefits to build over time. Source
  • Operating and free cash flow reported: Operating cash flow was $20 million and free cash flow was $10 million in the second quarter. Source
  • Chicago approvals under way: The Illinois Gaming Board has begun issuing approvals, and 44% of the locations approved to date are Accel's. Source
  • CEO moves to Chairman role: Andy Rubenstein said he is preparing to transition from Chief Executive Officer to Chairman. Source

“Illinois, our largest market, once again delivered impressive results.”

Andy Rubenstein, Accel CEO

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The company completed the Rice Palace Truck Stop Casino acquisition in Louisiana during the quarter. Source
  • New: A new route agreement and equipment purchase in Nevada is adding about 600 terminals across Southern Nevada. Source
  • New: The Illinois Gaming Board has begun issuing approvals for Chicago locations, and Accel locations are 44% of those approved to date. Source
  • New: The CEO is preparing to transition from Chief Executive Officer to Chairman. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 10% to record: Revenue was $368 million, up 10% from the second quarter of 2025, described by the company as a quarterly record. Source
  • Net income up 72% year over year: Net income was $13 million, an increase of 72% on the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 11% to $59 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $59 million, up 11% from the second quarter of 2025; the company reconciles it to net income as a non-GAAP measure. Source
  • Trailing Adjusted EBITDA reached $220.1 million: Trailing twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA was $220.1 million at June 30, 2026, as stated in the release. Source

Segments and regions

  • Illinois revenue up 6%: Illinois revenue excluding Fairmount Park rose 6%, driven by hold-per-day gains and a higher-performing customer mix. Source
  • Nevada hold-per-day declined 15.8%: Nevada hold-per-day was $660 against $784 a year earlier, down 15.8%, while Louisiana hold-per-day rose 15.2% to $1,145. Source
  • Nebraska and Georgia EBITDA rose: Management said Adjusted EBITDA in Nebraska and Georgia each increased significantly, and that these markets matter more to long-term earnings growth. Source

“We believe these results reflect the strength and resilience of our distributed gaming model, the disciplined execution of our team, and the ongoing success of our long-term strategy.”

Andy Rubenstein, Accel CEO

Products and customers

  • Ticket-in, ticket-out now fully deployed: The entire Illinois installed base is now TITO-enabled; management is encouraged by early customer adoption and expects benefits to build over time. Source
  • Fairmount Park added table games: Fairmount Park launched table games and began its second racing season in April 2026. Source
  • Fairmount Park gross profit peaked: Fairmount Park reported its highest quarterly gross profit since the acquisition closed less than two years earlier. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Other state margin little changed: Gross margin on other state splits, revenues and fees was 27.78% against 27.84% a year earlier. Source
  • Illinois regulated split unchanged: The Illinois regulated split was 32.50% in both the second quarter of 2026 and the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • General and administrative expense increased: General and administrative expense rose to $59.6 million from $54.9 million a year earlier. Source

“As I prepare to transition from Chief Executive Officer to Chairman, I am very confident in Accel's future.”

Andy Rubenstein, Accel CEO

Cash, debt and returns

  • Operating and free cash flow reported: Operating cash flow was $20 million and free cash flow was $10 million in the second quarter. Source
  • Tax credit purchase gave net saving: The company bought an $18 million tax credit for $17 million, a net $1 million tax saving reflected in results. Source
  • Cash conversion excluding tax credit: Excluding the tax credit, operating cash flow and free cash flow would have been $37 million and $26 million. Source
  • Cash and net debt at June 30: Cash was $255 million and net debt was $318 million at June 30, 2026. Source
  • Net leverage 1.4 times, revolver undrawn: Net leverage was about 1.4 times, and the $300 million revolving credit facility was undrawn. Source
  • Share repurchases in second quarter: About 500,000 Class A-1 shares were repurchased for $5.6 million in the quarter. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Chicago approvals under way: The Illinois Gaming Board has begun issuing approvals, and 44% of the locations approved to date are Accel's. Source
  • City license applications accepted: Chicago's business affairs department has begun accepting and processing applications for City video gaming licenses. Source
  • Nevada route adds about 600 terminals: A new Nevada route agreement and equipment purchase is adding about 600 terminals across Southern Nevada. Source
  • Rice Palace acquisition completed: The company completed the Rice Palace Truck Stop Casino acquisition in Louisiana, which management described as accretive. Source
  • Balance sheet supports investment: Management said the balance sheet gives flexibility to invest organically, pursue acquisitions and return capital to shareholders. Source

People and leadership

  • CEO moves to Chairman role: Andy Rubenstein said he is preparing to transition from Chief Executive Officer to Chairman. Source
  • Leadership team described as exceptional: Management said the company has built a resilient business and assembled an exceptional leadership team. Source
  • Chairman to keep supporting company: Andy Rubenstein said he looks forward to continuing to support the company as Chairman and to building on recent momentum. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 August 2026

  • Chicago go-live follows City licenses: Management said the company's infrastructure positions it to move quickly once Chicago issues licenses. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total locations Source4,676
Total gaming terminals Source29,281
Illinois location hold-per-day (three months) Source$992

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Chicago go-live depends on City video gaming licenses and then on IGB connection scheduling, so timing depends on those steps. Source
  • Financial: Net income includes a loss from remeasuring the contingent earnout shares, which the company listed among items included in net income. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it remains committed to developing a permanent casino at the property. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.