Accel Entertainment Overview: Accel Entertainment (NYSE: ACEL) is a small-cap gaming stock that operates as a distributed gaming or route operator, placing video gaming terminals (VGTs) in non-casino locations, which makes it less volatile compared to traditional casino stocks.
Market Position and Growth Potential: The company controls approximately 28,000 VGTs across 10 states, with significant revenue from Illinois. Analysts suggest that potential gaming expansion in various jurisdictions could further enhance Accel's market position.
Financial Strength and Strategy: Accel boasts a strong balance sheet and is expected to generate substantial free cash flow. The company is pursuing a prudent mergers and acquisitions strategy to mitigate risks associated with competition in its primary market.
Investment Considerations: While Accel is viewed as a hidden gem with growth potential, it was not included in the Motley Fool Stock Advisor's list of top investment recommendations, which highlights the importance of thorough research before investing.
Wall Street analysts forecast ACEL stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ACEL is 14.50 USD with a low forecast of 13.00 USD and a high forecast of 16.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
2 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast ACEL stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ACEL is 14.50 USD with a low forecast of 13.00 USD and a high forecast of 16.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 11.440
Low
13.00
Averages
14.50
High
16.00
Current: 11.440
Low
13.00
Averages
14.50
High
16.00
CBRE
NULL -> Buy
initiated
$17
2026-01-16
Reason
CBRE
Price Target
$17
AI Analysis
2026-01-16
initiated
NULL -> Buy
Reason
CBRE initiated coverage of Accel Entertainment with a Buy rating and $17 price target.
Truist
Patrick Keough
Hold
initiated
$13
2025-12-16
Reason
Truist
Patrick Keough
Price Target
$13
2025-12-16
initiated
Hold
Reason
Truist analyst Patrick Keough initiated coverage of Accel Entertainment with a Hold rating and $13 price target. Accel is the largest and only public route gaming operator and will likely grow faster than other land-based operators in the coming years, the analyst tells investors in a research note. However, the firm expects slowing growth in Illinois, which represents 75% of Accel's revenue base. The company is "hamstrung by a limited float that prevents investors from taking meaningful ownership," contends Truist.
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Citizens JMP
Jordan Bender
Outperform
initiated
$13
2025-12-05
Reason
Citizens JMP
Jordan Bender
Price Target
$13
2025-12-05
initiated
Outperform
Reason
Citizens JMP analyst Jordan Bender initiated coverage of Accel Entertainment with an Outperform rating and $13 price target. The firm says the company's long contract length allows for high visibility on its recurring revenue. Accel is leveraging its "best-in-class brand to be an industry-leading" distributed gaming operator by EBITDA, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
Northland
Greg Gibas
Outperform
maintain
$15 -> $16
2025-07-17
Reason
Northland
Greg Gibas
Price Target
$15 -> $16
2025-07-17
maintain
Outperform
Reason
Northland analyst Greg Gibas raised the firm's price target on Accel Entertainment to $16 from $15 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm is increasing its Q2 estimates to reflect continued strength in Illinois, strong early performance from a recent expansion into Louisiana, and "encouraging early results" from the company's recent phase I casino opening at Fairmount, the analyst tells investors.
About ACEL
Accel Entertainment, Inc. is a distributed gaming operator in the United States and a partner for local business owners in the markets it serves. The Company offers turnkey full-service gaming solutions to authorized non-casino locations such as bars, restaurants, convenience stores, truck stops, and fraternal and veteran establishments across the country. It installs, maintains, operates and services gaming terminals and related equipment for its location partners as well as redemption devices, stand-alone automated teller machines (ATMs) and amusement devices, including jukeboxes, dartboards, pool tables, and other entertainment-related equipment. It also designs and manufactures gaming terminals and related equipment. Its segments include distributed gaming and casinos and racing. The Company offers amusement devices, including jukeboxes, dartboards, pool tables, and other entertainment-related equipment that enhance customer experience and engagement.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
