Accel Entertainment Announces Q3 2024 Operating Results

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Q3 2024 presents a mixed financial picture for Accel Entertainment. While $302.2M in revenue marks a 5.1% YoY increase, net income dropped significantly by 53.2% to $4.9M. The decline is partly due to losses from contingent earnout shares valuation. The company's expansion continues with 2.8% more locations and 4.1% more gaming terminals YoY. Illinois remains the dominant market, contributing 73.9% of total revenues. The $289M net debt position and upcoming acquisitions in Louisiana and Illinois signal aggressive growth strategy, though increasing leverage could pressure margins. Nebraska shows promising growth with 28.2% increase in gaming terminals and 16.8% higher location hold-per-day.

The gaming operator's market positioning shows strategic diversification beyond its core Illinois market. The planned FanDuel Sportsbook acquisition represents a significant vertical expansion into sports betting, potentially opening new revenue streams. The company's outperformance versus Illinois casinos suggests strong competitive positioning in distributed gaming. Location metrics reveal healthy organic growth, with hold-per-day improvements across most markets indicating operational efficiency. The 15.1% location growth in Nebraska highlights successful market penetration in newer territories. However, Nevada's slight decline in gaming terminals (-2.2%) warrants attention as it's traditionally a key gaming market.

10/30/2024 - 04:15 PM

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Accel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: ACEL) today announced certain financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Highlights:

Ended Q3 2024 with 4,014 locations; an increase of 2.8% compared to Q3 2023
Ended Q3 2024 with 25,729 gaming terminals; an increase of 4.1% compared to Q3 2023
Record revenues of $302.2 million for Q3 2024; an increase of 5.1% compared to Q3 2023
Net income of $4.9 million for Q3 2024; a decrease of 53.2% compared to Q3 2023 partially attributable to a higher loss on the change in fair value of the contingent earnout shares
Adjusted EBITDA of $45.9 million for Q3 2024; an increase of 3.9% compared to Q3 2023
Q3 2024 ended with $289 million of net debt; an increase of 2.4% compared to Q3 2023
Repurchased approximately $6.2 million of Accel Class A-1 common stock in Q3 2024
Acquisition of a distributed gaming operator in the state of Louisiana expected to close in Q4 2024
Acquisition of the FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing in Collinsville, Illinois, expected to close in Q4 2024

Accel CEO Andy Rubenstein commented, “I am happy to report that we delivered another strong quarter and are making substantial progress closing our acquisition of FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing, a natural extension of our convenient, local gaming platform. We continue to outperform casinos in our largest market, Illinois, and posted significant revenue increases in our fastest growing market, Nebraska. By strengthening our core and expanding our offerings, we believe we can continue to generate attractive low-teens returns on capital and improve our trading multiples, making Accel a compelling investment opportunity.”

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Data

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)		2024		2023		2024		2023

Total net revenues	$	302,227	$	287,497	$	913,457	$	873,352
Operating income		21,845		25,120		70,087		81,956
Income before income tax expense		8,464		15,080		39,166		46,347
Net income		4,895		10,450		26,897		29,615
Other Financial Data:
Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾		45,880		44,138		141,792		136,869
Adjusted net income ⁽²⁾		18,350		19,067		59,238		60,566

(1)		Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP metric. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation to GAAP.
(2)		Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP metric. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation to GAAP.

Net Revenues

(in thousands)	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024		2023		2024		2023
Net revenues by state:
Illinois	$	223,338	$	212,113	$	675,294	$	647,903
Montana		39,648		39,362		120,372		115,088
Nevada		28,350		28,003		86,881		87,833
Nebraska		6,538		4,802		18,621		13,213
Other		4,353		3,217		12,289		9,315
Total net revenues	$	302,227	$	287,497	$	913,457	$	873,352

Key Business Metrics

*Locations ⁽¹⁾*	As of September 30,		Increase / (Decrease)
	2024	2023	Change	Change (%)
Illinois	2,791	2,724	67	2.5%
Montana	615	611	4	0.7%
Nevada	356	352	4	1.1%
Nebraska	252	219	33	15.1%
Total locations	4,014	3,906	108	2.8%

*Gaming terminals ⁽¹⁾*	As of September 30,		Increase / (Decrease)
	2024	2023	Change		Change (%)
Illinois	15,714	15,020	694		4.6	%
Montana	6,448	6,252	196		3.1	%
Nevada	2,685	2,744	(59	)	(2.2	)%
Nebraska	882	688	194		28.2	%
Total gaming terminals	25,729	24,704	1,025		4.1	%

*Location hold-per-day ⁽²⁾*	Three Months Ended September 30,				Increase / (Decrease)
		2024		2023	Change ($)		Change (%)
Illinois	$	839	$	825	$	14	1.7	%
Montana		613		591		22	3.7	%
Nevada		802		802		—	—	%
Nebraska		257		220		37	16.8	%

	Nine Months Ended September 30,				Increase / (Decrease)
		2024		2023	Change ($)			Change (%)
Illinois	$	859	$	854	$	5		0.6	%
Montana		608		579		29		5.1	%
Nevada		835		849		(14	)	(1.6	)%
Nebraska		244		228		16		7.0	%

(1)		Based on a combination of third-party portal data and data from our internal systems. This metric is utilized by Accel to continually monitor growth from existing locations, organic openings, acquired locations, and competitor conversions.
(2)		Location hold-per-day is calculated by dividing net gaming revenue in the period by the average number of locations. We then divide the calculated amount by the number of operational days. We utilize this metric to compare market and location performance on a normalized basis. The percent change in location hold-per-day is the underlying metric used to determine the change in same-store sales.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data

	Nine Months Ended September 30,						Increase / (Decrease)
(in thousands)		2024			2023		Change ($)			Change (%)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	107,665		$	92,007		$	15,658		17.0	%
Net cash used in investing activities		(90,224	)		(35,404	)		(54,820	)	(154.8	)%
Net cash used in financing activities		(13,967	)		(50,328	)		36,361		72.2	%

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted net income is defined as net income plus:

Amortization of intangible assets and route and customer acquisition costs
Stock-based compensation expense
Loss from unconsolidated affiliates
Loss on change in fair value of contingent earnout shares
Other expenses, net which consists of (i) non-cash expenses including the remeasurement of contingent consideration liabilities, (ii) non-recurring lobbying and legal expenses related to distributed gaming expansion in current or prospective markets, and (iii) other non-recurring expenses
Tax effect of adjustments

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income plus:

Amortization of intangible assets and route and customer acquisition costs
Stock-based compensation expense
Loss from unconsolidated affiliates
Loss on change in fair value of contingent earnout shares
Other expenses, net
Tax effect of adjustments
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
Interest expense, net
Emerging markets, which reflects the results, on an Adjusted EBITDA basis, for non-core jurisdictions where our operations are developing
- Markets are no longer considered emerging when we have installed or acquired at least 500 gaming terminals in the jurisdiction, or when 24 months have elapsed from the date we first install or acquire gaming terminals in the jurisdiction, whichever occurs first
- We currently view Pennsylvania as an emerging market
- Prior to January 2024, Iowa was considered an emerging market
- Prior to April 2023, Nebraska was considered an emerging market
Income tax expense

Net debt is defined as debt, net of current maturities plus:

Current maturities of debt
less Cash and cash equivalents

Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)		2024			2023			2024			2023
Net income	$	4,895		$	10,450		$	26,897		$	29,615
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangible assets and route and customer acquisition costs		5,781			5,299			16,808			15,825
Stock-based compensation expense		3,342			2,718			8,927			6,973
Loss from unconsolidated affiliates		1			—			1			—
Loss on change in fair value of contingent earnout shares		4,216			1,625			4,190			11,063
Other expenses, net		3,867			1,682			13,620			5,006
Tax effect of adjustments		(3,752	)		(2,707	)		(11,205	)		(7,916	)
Adjusted net income		18,350			19,067			59,238			60,566
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment		11,001			9,405			32,229			27,914
Interest expense, net		9,164			8,415			26,730			24,546
Emerging markets		43			(86	)		121			(805	)
Income tax expense		7,322			7,337			23,474			24,648
Adjusted EBITDA	$	45,880		$	44,138		$	141,792		$	136,869

Net Debt

	As of September 30,
(in thousands)		2024			2023
Debt, net of current maturities	$	525,572		$	484,004
Plus: Current maturities of debt		28,490			28,479
Less: Cash and cash equivalents		(265,085	)		(230,388	)
Net debt	$	288,977		$	282,095

Conference Call

Accel will host an investor conference call on October 30, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. Central time (5:30 p.m. Eastern time) to discuss these financial and operating results. Interested parties may join the live webcast by registering at https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=a8e678a0&confId=71436 or accessing the webcast via the company’s investor relations website: ir.accelentertainment.com. Following completion of the call, a replay of the webcast will be posted on Accel’s investor relations website.

About Accel

Accel is a leading distributed gaming operator in the United States and a preferred partner for local business owners in the markets it serves. Accel 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. Accel installs, maintains, operates and services gaming terminals and related equipment for its location partners as well as redemption devices, stand-alone ATMs and amusement devices, including jukeboxes, dartboards, pool tables, and other entertainment related equipment. Accel also designs and manufactures gaming terminals and related equipment.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, any statements regarding our estimates of number of gaming terminals, locations, revenues, Adjusted EBITDA and capital expenditures, our ability to continue to generate returns on capital and improve our trading multiples, and our proposed acquisition of Fairmount Holdings, Inc. The words “predict,” “estimated,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “would,” “continue,” and similar expressions or the negatives thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent our current reasonable expectations and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the forward-looking statements, and you should be aware that results and events could differ materially and adversely from those contained in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors including, but not limited to: Accel’s ability to operate in existing markets or expand into new jurisdictions; Accel’s ability to offer new and innovative products and services that fulfill the needs of location partners and create strong and sustained player appeal; Accel’s dependence on relationships with key manufacturers, developers and third parties to obtain gaming terminals, amusement machines, and related supplies, programs, and technologies for its business on acceptable terms; the negative impact on Accel’s future results of operations by the slow growth in demand for gaming terminals and by the slow growth of new gaming jurisdictions; Accel’s heavy dependency on its ability to win, maintain and renew contracts with location partners; the parties' ability to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed acquisition of Fairmount Holdings, Inc. and the risk that the proposed acquisition may not be completed in a timely manner or at all; unfavorable macroeconomic conditions or decreased discretionary spending due to other factors such as interest rate volatility, persistent inflation, actual or perceived instability in the U.S. and global banking systems, high fuel rates, recessions, epidemics or other public health issues, terrorist activity or threat thereof, civil unrest or other macroeconomic or political uncertainties, that could adversely affect Accel’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial conditions and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in documents filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Accordingly, forward-looking statements, including any projections or analysis, should not be viewed as factual and should not be relied upon as an accurate prediction of future results. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on Accel. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed by Accel with the SEC on February 28, 2024 (the "Form 10-K"), as well as Accel’s other filings with the SEC. Except as required by law, we do not undertake publicly to update or revise these statements, even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed in this or other press releases or future quarterly reports, or company statements will not be realized. In addition, the inclusion of any statement in this press release does not constitute an admission by us that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. In addition, the industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors including those described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K, as well as Accel’s other filings with the SEC. These and other factors could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in this press release.

Industry and Market Data

Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this press release concerning our industry and the markets in which we operate, including our general expectations and market position, market opportunity, and market size, is based on information from various sources, on assumptions that we have made that are based on those data and other similar sources, and on our knowledge of the markets for our services. This information includes a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such information. In addition, projections, assumptions, and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the industry in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Accel with the SEC, as well as Accel's other filings with the SEC. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by third parties and by us.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release includes certain financial information not prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”), including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income, and Net Debt. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income, and Net Debt are non-GAAP financial measures and are key metrics used to monitor ongoing core operations. Management of Accel believes Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income, and Net Debt enhance the understanding of Accel’s underlying drivers of profitability and trends in Accel’s business and facilitates company-to-company and period-to-period comparisons, because these non-GAAP financial measures exclude the effects of certain non-cash items, represents certain nonrecurring items that are unrelated to core performance, or excludes non-core operations. Management of Accel also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are used by investors, analysts and other interested parties as measures of financial performance.

ACCEL ENTERTAINMENT, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024		2023		2024		2023
Net revenues:
Net gaming	$	289,923	$	274,123	$	871,300	$	831,054
Amusement		5,104		5,411		16,772		17,839
Manufacturing		1,705		3,334		9,122		9,886
ATM fees and other		5,495		4,629		16,263		14,573
Total net revenues		302,227		287,497		913,457		873,352
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown below)		210,841		198,743		633,325		604,603
Cost of manufacturing goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown below)		962		2,065		5,283		5,627
General and administrative		47,930		45,183		142,105		132,421
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment		11,001		9,405		32,229		27,914
Amortization of intangible assets and route and customer acquisition costs		5,781		5,299		16,808		15,825
Other expenses, net		3,867		1,682		13,620		5,006
Total operating expenses		280,382		262,377		843,370		791,396
Operating income		21,845		25,120		70,087		81,956
Interest expense, net		9,164		8,415		26,730		24,546
Loss from unconsolidated affiliates		1		—		1		—
Loss on change in fair value of contingent earnout shares		4,216		1,625		4,190		11,063
Income before income tax expense		8,464		15,080		39,166		46,347
Income tax expense		3,569		4,630		12,269		16,732
Net income	$	4,895	$	10,450	$	26,897	$	29,615
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.06	$	0.12	$	0.32	$	0.34
Diluted		0.06		0.12		0.32		0.34
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		82,952		85,865		83,718		86,305
Diluted		84,322		87,114		84,890		87,022

ACCEL ENTERTAINMENT, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except par value and share amounts)	September 30,			December 31,
		2024			2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	265,085		$	261,611
Accounts receivable, net		7,830			13,467
Prepaid expenses		8,168			6,287
Inventories		9,090			7,681
Interest rate caplets		5,510			8,140
Deposits		18,293			6,555
Other current assets		9,347			8,853
Total current assets		323,323			312,594
Property and equipment, net		281,917			260,813
Noncurrent assets:
Route and customer acquisition costs, net		23,725			19,188
Location contracts acquired, net		176,793			176,311
Goodwill		102,151			101,554
Other intangible assets, net		18,715			20,542
Interest rate caplets, net of current		1,176			4,871
Other assets		22,406			17,020
Total noncurrent assets		344,966			339,486
Total assets	$	950,206		$	912,893
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of debt	$	28,490		$	28,483
Current portion of route and customer acquisition costs payable		2,122			1,505
Accrued location gaming expense		8,921			9,350
Accrued state gaming expense		30,503			18,364
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses		36,462			36,012
Accrued compensation and related expenses		10,108			12,648
Current portion of consideration payable		2,766			3,288
Total current liabilities		119,372			109,650
Long-term liabilities:
Debt, net of current maturities		525,572			514,091
Route and customer acquisition costs payable, less current portion		7,306			4,955
Consideration payable, less current portion		10,882			4,201
Contingent earnout share liability		36,017			31,827
Other long-term liabilities		6,188			7,015
Deferred income tax liability, net		38,150			42,750
Total long-term liabilities		624,115			604,839
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred Stock, par value of $0.0001; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023		—			—
Class A-1 Common Stock, par value $0.0001; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 95,409,648 shares issued and 82,430,205 shares outstanding at September 30, 2024; 95,016,960 shares issued and 84,123,385 shares outstanding at December 31, 2023		8			8
Additional paid-in capital		210,225			203,046
Treasury stock, at cost		(133,760	)		(112,070	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		3,865			7,936
Accumulated earnings		126,381			99,484
Total stockholders' equity		206,719			198,404
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	950,206		$	912,893

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241030476384/en/

Media:

Eric Bonach

H/Advisors Abernathy

212-371-5999

eric.bonach@h-advisors.global

Source: Accel Entertainment, Inc.

FAQ

What was Accel Entertainment's (ACEL) revenue in Q3 2024?

Accel Entertainment reported record revenues of $302.2 million in Q3 2024, representing a 5.1% increase compared to Q3 2023.

How many gaming terminals did ACEL operate as of Q3 2024?

ACEL operated 25,729 gaming terminals as of Q3 2024, showing a 4.1% increase from Q3 2023.

What acquisitions is ACEL planning to complete in Q4 2024?

ACEL plans to complete two acquisitions in Q4 2024: a distributed gaming operator in Louisiana and the FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing in Collinsville, Illinois.

What was ACEL's net income for Q3 2024?

ACEL reported a net income of $4.9 million for Q3 2024, showing a 53.2% decrease compared to Q3 2023.

Accel Entertainment Announces Q3 2024 Operating Results

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What was Accel Entertainment's (ACEL) revenue in Q3 2024?

How many gaming terminals did ACEL operate as of Q3 2024?

What acquisitions is ACEL planning to complete in Q4 2024?

What was ACEL's net income for Q3 2024?

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