Accel Entertainment, Inc. (ACEL)

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “plans,” “intend,” “may,” “strategy,” “prospects,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “project,” “target,” “anticipate,” and other similar words and involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Any forward-looking statements made by us speak only as of the date on which they are made. We are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law. This discussion and analysis should also be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Company Overview

We are a leading distributed gaming operator in the United States (“U.S.”), as well as a developer of brick-and-mortar casinos that serve local gaming markets and horse racing venues. We are a preferred partner for local business owners in the markets we serve. We offer turnkey, full-service gaming solutions to bars, restaurants, convenience stores, truck stops, and fraternal and veteran establishments across the country as well as casinos and horse racing venues. Our focus is providing unmatched customer support, guidance, and expertise so our location partners can grow their businesses with an additional revenue stream. We install, maintain, operate and service gaming terminals and related equipment for our location partners as well as redemption devices that have automated teller machine (“ATM”) functionality and stand-alone ATMs. We offer amusement devices, including jukeboxes, dartboards, pool tables, and other entertainment related equipment. These operations provide a complementary source of lead generation for our gaming business by offering a “one-stop” source of additional equipment for our location partners.

We also design and manufacture gaming terminals and related equipment. We are continuously evaluating additional opportunities that are complementary to our core business, such as our acquisition of Fairmount Park - Casino & Racing (“Fairmount”) in Collinsville, Illinois.

We currently operate in the following states:

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We are subject to the various gaming regulations in the states in which we operate, as well as various other federal, state and local laws and regulations.

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Distributed Gaming Competitive Landscape

We compete in the distributed gaming landscape on the basis of the responsiveness of our service to our locations and players, and the popularity, content, features, quality, functionality and reliability of our products. In the distributed gaming industry, we generally operate in markets where our terminal revenue splits are either statutorily determined or negotiated, as follows:

We also enter into space lease agreements, primarily in the Nevada market, where the location earns a fixed monthly rental fee in exchange for the right for us to operate at the location. For these agreements, we are the sole holder of the applicable gaming license that allows us to operate in that location. Under these agreements, we recognize all of the gaming revenue and record the fixed monthly rental fees as cost of revenue.

Macroeconomic Factors

Ongoing interest rate uncertainty, persistent inflation, economic impacts from the conflict in Iran, and increased and/or reciprocal tariffs may increase the risk of an economic recession and volatility in the capital or credit markets in the U.S. and other markets globally. Our location partners may be adversely impacted by changes in overall economic and financial conditions, and certain location partners may cease operations in the event of a recession or inability to access financing. Furthermore, our revenue is largely driven by players’ disposable incomes and level of gaming activity. Economic conditions that adversely impact players’ ability and desire to spend disposable income at our location partners may adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. For the first half of 2026, we have not observed any material impacts to our business or outlook from the macroeconomic factors noted above.

We intend to continue to monitor macroeconomic conditions closely and may determine to take certain financial or operational actions in response to such conditions to the extent our business begins to be adversely impacted.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “Act”) was signed into law on July 4, 2025. The Act contains significant tax law changes impacting business taxpayers with various effective dates, with certain provisions effective in 2025 and others to be implemented through 2027. Among the tax law changes that impact us are those that relate to the timing of certain tax deductions including depreciation expense, interest expense and research and development expenditures. Because these tax law changes impact the timing of these deductions, they will not reduce our overall effective tax rate. However, these tax law changes have resulted in a favorable reduction to our current tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, which was offset by an increase to deferred tax expense.

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Components of Performance

Net revenues

Net gaming. Net gaming revenue represents net cash received from gaming activities, which is the difference between gaming wins and losses. Net gaming revenue includes the amounts earned by our location partners and is recognized at the time of gaming play.

Amusement. Amusement revenue represents amounts collected from amusement devices operated at various location partners and is recognized at the point the amusement device is used.

Manufacturing. Manufacturing revenue represents sales of gaming terminals and software as well as other ancillary equipment.

ATM fees and other. ATM fees and other consist of fees charged for the withdrawal of funds from our redemption devices and stand-alone ATMs and is recognized at the time of the ATM transaction. Revenues from our racing operations are also included.

Operating expenses

Cost of revenue. Cost of revenue consists of i) taxes on net gaming revenue that is payable to the appropriate jurisdiction, ii) licenses, permits and other fees required for the operation of our business, iii) location revenue share, which is governed by local governing bodies and location contracts, iv) ATM and amusement commissions payable to locations, v) ATM and amusement fees and vi) expenses from our casino and racing operations.

Cost of manufacturing goods sold. Cost of manufacturing goods sold consists of costs associated with the sale of gaming terminals and software as well as other ancillary equipment.

General and administrative. General and admi

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion provides information that management believes is relevant to an understanding and assessment of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those set forth under Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

A discussion of our results of operations on a consolidated basis for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are presented below. For the discussion of our results of operations on a consolidated basis for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 that was filed on March 3, 2025.

Company Overview

We are a leading distributed gaming operator in the United States (“U.S.”), as well as a developer of brick-and-mortar casinos that serve local gaming markets and horse racing venues. We are a preferred partner for local business owners in the markets we serve. We offer turnkey, full-service gaming solutions to bars, restaurants, convenience stores, truck stops, and fraternal and veteran establishments across the country, as well as casinos and horse racing venues. Our focus is providing unmatched customer support, guidance, and expertise so our location partners can grow their businesses with an additional revenue stream. We install, maintain, operate and service gaming terminals and related equipment for our location partners as well as redemption devices that have automated teller machine (“ATM”) functionality and stand-alone ATMs. We offer amusement devices, including jukeboxes, dartboards, pool tables, and other entertainment related equipment. These operations provide a complementary source of lead generation for our gaming business by offering a “one-stop” source of additional equipment for our location partners.

We also design and manufacture gaming terminals and related equipment. We are continuously evaluating additional opportunities that are complementary to our core business, such as our acquisition of Fairmount Park - Casino & Racing (“Fairmount”) in Collinsville, Illinois.

We currently operate as a distributed gaming operator in the following states:

•Illinois - we are a licensed terminal operator by the Illinois Gaming Board (“IGB”) since 2012,

•Montana - we were granted a manufacturer, distributor and route operator license in June 2022 by the Gambling Control Division of the Montana Department of Justice,

•Nevada - we were granted an unlimited gaming license in May 2024 by the Nevada Gaming Commission,

•Nebraska - we became a licensed distributor of mechanical amusement devices in Nebraska in March 2022, and commenced operations in this market in June 2022,

•Georgia - we received approval from the Georgia Lottery Corporation as a Master Licensee in July 2020,

•Iowa - we are registered with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals to conduct operations in Iowa,

•Pennsylvania - we have held a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board since November 2020.

•Louisiana - we hold a license as a device owner from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board to operate video draw poker devices since November 2024.

Through our wholly owned subsidiary, Grand Vision Gaming, we also manufacture gaming terminals in the Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, and West Virginia markets.

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As previously mentioned, we acquired Fairmount in December 2024, which serves the greater St. Louis/southern Illinois market and will expand our operations into local casino gaming and horse racing. In April 2025, the casino opened and the racing season began at Fairmount. The casino property and associated racetrack generates revenues and expenses from slot machines, video table games, a sports book, ancillary food and beverage services, commission on pari-mutuel wagering, racing event-related services, and other miscellaneous operations.

We are subject to the various gaming regulations in the states in which we operate, as well as various other federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Macroeconomic Factors

Ongoing interest rate uncertainty, persistent inflation, and increased and/or reciprocal tariffs may increase the risk of an economic recession and volatility in the capital or credit markets in the U.S. and other markets globally. Our location partners may be adversely impacted by changes in overall economic and financial conditions, and certain location partners may cease operations in the event of a recession or inability to access financing. Furthermore, our revenue is largely driven by players’ disposable incomes and level of gaming activity. Economic conditions that adversely impact players’ ability and desire to spend disposable income at our location partners may adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.

In 2025, we did not observe any material impacts to our business or outlook from the macroeconomic factors noted above. In the first half of 2024, we accelerated certain of our capital expenditures related to gaming terminals and related components to manage our supply chain.

We intend to continue to monitor macroeconomic conditions closely and may determine to take certain financial or operational actions in response to such conditions to the extent our business begins to be adversely impacted.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “Act”) was signed into law on July 4, 2025. The Act contains significant tax law changes impacting business tax payers with various effective dates, with certain provisions effective in 2025 and others to be implemented through 2027. Among the tax law changes that impact us are those that relate to the timing of certain tax deductions including depreciation expense, interest expense and research and development expenditures. Because these tax law changes impact the timing of these deductions, they will not reduce our overall effective tax rate. However, these tax law changes have resulted in a favorable reduction to our tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 which was offset by an increase to deferred tax expense.

Components of Performance

Net Revenues

Net gaming. Net gaming revenue represents net cash received from gaming activities, which is the difference between gaming wins and losses. Net gaming revenue includes the amounts earned by our location partners and is recognized at the time of gaming play.

Amusement. Amusement revenue represents amounts collected from amusement devices operated at various location partners and is recognized at the point the amusement device is used.

Manufacturing. Manufacturing revenue represents sales of gaming terminals and software as well as other ancillary equipment.

ATM fees and other. ATM fees and other consist of fees charged for the withdrawal of funds from our redemption devices and stand-alone ATMs and is recognized at the time of the ATM transaction. Beginning in the first quarter of 2025, revenues from our racing operations are also included.

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Operating Expenses

Cost of revenue. Cost of revenue consists of i) taxes on net gaming revenue that is payable to the appropriate jurisdiction (effective July 1, 2024, the tax on net gaming revenue in the State of Illinois increased from 34% to 35%, which is split equally between us and our locations in Illinois), ii) licenses, permits and other fees required for the operation of our business, iii) location revenue share, which is governed by local governing bodies and location contracts, iv) ATM and amusement commissions payable to locations, v) ATM and amusement fees and vi) expenses from our casino and racing operations.

Cost of manufacturing goods sold. Cost of manufacturing goods sold consists of costs associated with the sale of gaming terminals and software as well as other ancillary equipment.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses consist of operating expense and general and administrative expense. Operating expense includes compensation-related costs for service technicians, route technicians, route security, and preventative maintenance personnel. Operating expense also includes vehicle fuel and maintenance, and non-capitalizable parts expenses. Operating expenses are generally proportionate to the number of locations and gaming terminals. General and administrative expense includes compensation-related costs for account managers, business development managers, marketing, and other corporate personnel. In addition, general and administrative expense also includes marketing, information technology, insurance, rent and professional fees.

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life or the lease.

Amortization of intangible assets and route and customer acquisition costs. Route and customer acquisition costs consist of fees paid at the inception of contracts entered into with third parties and our gaming locations, which allows us to install and operate gaming terminals. The route and customer acquisition costs and route and customer acquisition costs payable are recorded at the net present value of the future payments using a discount rate equal to our incremental borrowing rate associated with our long-term debt. Route and customer acquisition costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over 18 years, which is the expected estimated life of the contract, including expected renewals.

Location contracts acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value and then amortized as an intangible asset on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of 15 years.

Other intangible assets acquired in a business acquisition are recorded at fair value and then amortized as an intangible asset on a straight-line basis over their estimated 7 to 20-year useful lives.

Interest expense, net

Interest expense, net consists of interest on our credit facility, amortization of financing fees, accretion of interest on route and customer acquisition costs payable, and interest (income) expense on the interest rate caplets. Interest on the current credit facility is payable monthly on unpaid balances at the variable per annum Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) rate plus an applicable margin, as defined under the terms of the credit facility, ranging from 1.5% to 2.5% depending on the first lien net leverage ratio.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense consists mainly of taxes payable to federal, state and local authorities. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of the assets and liabilities.

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Results of Operations

The following table summarizes our results of operations on a consolidated basis for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:

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