Accel Entertainment Announces Soft Opening of Fairmount Park Casino & Racing

Rhea-AI Summary

Accel Entertainment (NYSE: ACEL) has announced the soft opening of its first Illinois casino, Fairmount Park Casino & Racing, scheduled for April 18, 2025. The 12,000 sq. ft. venue features modern slots and electronic table games, marking Accel's strategic entry into the locals racino market.

The facility, located at 9301 Collinsville Rd., will commence its racing season on April 22, 2025. The venue has undergone significant improvements, including new concessions and enhanced racing infrastructure. Notably, Fairmount Park is partnering with Fifty/50 Hospitality Group to expand its food and beverage offerings, including three new concessions and a full-service restaurant opening in June.

The opening coincides with the racetrack's 100th anniversary, representing a milestone in Fairmount Park's history. The project was completed in less than 5 months with support from the Illinois Racing Board, Illinois Gaming Board, and City of Collinsville officials.

Positive

• Strategic expansion into Illinois casino market with new 12,000 sq. ft. facility
• Partnership with nationally recognized Fifty/50 Hospitality Group for food service operations
• Rapid project completion in under 5 months
• Diversification of revenue streams by combining casino and racing operations

Negative

• None.

Insights

Gaming Industry Analyst

Accel's first casino launch represents strategic diversification beyond distributed gaming, potentially boosting margins while leveraging operational expertise.

Accel Entertainment's entry into casino operations with Fairmount Park marks a significant strategic shift for a company previously focused on distributed gaming terminals across non-casino venues. This 12,000 sq. ft. facility represents Accel's evolution from gaming supplier to venue operator, potentially capturing higher-margin revenue streams.

The "locals racino" strategy is particularly noteworthy, as it targets convenience-oriented gamblers rather than destination travelers. This approach aligns perfectly with Accel's distributed gaming expertise, where the company has mastered operations in over 4,300 local establishments with 26,000+ terminals across ten states.

The rapid five-month development timeline demonstrates impressive operational execution, suggesting management's ability to navigate regulatory hurdles efficiently. By partnering with Fifty/50 Hospitality Group for food and beverage, Accel is building multiple revenue channels beyond gaming, including corporate events and expanded amenities.

The strategic significance here is Accel's vertical integration into the gaming value chain. Rather than merely supplying gaming technology, they're now capturing the full economic value of player activity. This positions Accel to potentially develop a replicable model for similar conversions of racing venues in other markets, creating a scalable growth avenue beyond distributed gaming.

Financial Analyst

Accel's racino launch diversifies revenue streams beyond distributed gaming, potentially enhancing earnings stability and margin expansion without significant capital intensity.

This casino launch represents Accel's most significant business expansion since becoming a public company. While the article lacks specific financial metrics, several key implications emerge for investors.

First, this diversification reduces Accel's dependence on distributed gaming, which typically operates at lower margins due to revenue-sharing agreements with location partners. Full casino ownership should enable substantially higher profit retention, especially when leveraging Accel's existing operational infrastructure and regulatory expertise.

The five-month development timeline suggests relatively modest capital expenditure compared to ground-up casino construction projects, which typically require 2+ years and hundreds of millions in investment. This capital-efficient approach aligns with Accel's historical focus on ROI-driven growth.

The partnership with Fifty/50 Hospitality creates additional monetization opportunities beyond gaming, including food and beverage sales, private events, and enhanced racing attendance. These complementary revenue streams typically carry higher margins than gaming alone.

For context, Accel's existing business model generates revenue primarily through profit-sharing with venue partners. Full ownership of the gaming floor at Fairmount eliminates this split, potentially yielding significantly higher contribution margins. While specific projections aren't provided, this strategic evolution points toward improved profitability metrics if executed effectively.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Accel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: ACEL) (“Accel” or the “Company”), a leading provider of full-service gaming solutions to local businesses across the U.S., today announced the soft opening of its first Illinois casino, Fairmount Park Casino & Racing, effective April 18, 2025.

This marks Accel’s strategic entry into the locals racino market—prioritizing convenience, operational efficiency, and market accessibility. It aligns with Accel’s strengths in delivering exceptional player experiences, managing cash logistics, and navigating regulatory environments.

Fairmount Park Casino & Racing is hosting the opening of its casino on Friday, April 18, 2025, with doors opening to the public at 9 am. The 12,000 sq. ft. venue, located at 9301 Collinsville Rd., offers the latest and most in-demand slots and electronic table games. Guests can also enjoy the various amenities at Fairmount Park, including new concessions and extensive improvements to the Park’s racing infrastructure.

“We are thrilled to open our casino and showcase our park improvements, highlighting the hard work and dedication of our employees and partners,” said Vince Gabbert, Sr. VP of US Gaming and General Manager at Fairmount Park Casino & Racing.

“I would like to thank the Illinois Racing Board, the Illinois Gaming Board, the City of Collinsville, and our local elected officials for their guidance and partnership throughout our development of this historic property. We would not have been able to complete this casino and park improvements in less than 5 months without their support,” said Andy Rubenstein, Chief Executive Officer of Accel. “I would also like to thank Vince and his outstanding team of professionals for their dedication to getting us here. I am proud and excited about the future of Fairmount as a premier entertainment destination for the Metro East Area.”

Racing season begins Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Gates open to the public at 9 am, and the first race begins at 1:30 pm. Skydivers will kick off the festivities.

Fairmount Park is also partnering with the nationally recognized Fifty/50 Hospitality Group to develop and expand the food and beverage offerings across Fairmount. Guests will now have the opportunity to enjoy the scratch-made cuisine at three new concessions with a full-service restaurant and bar opening in June. The Fifty/50 Group will allow Fairmount Park the ability to cater to corporate events, casual parties, and everything in between as Fairmount continues to grow its footprint over the next few years.

Gabbert added, “This year also marks the 100th anniversary of our racetrack, giving us the opportunity to celebrate Fairmount Park’s rich history while looking ahead to an exciting new chapter.”

Casino patrons must be 21 years of age or older to enter the casino. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

About Accel

Accel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: ACEL) is a leading distributed gaming operator in the United States, as well as a developer of brick-and-mortar racinos and casinos that serve locals gaming markets. Accel is dedicated to delivering unmatched value to its customers through its innovative solutions and exceptional service and is a preferred partner for local business owners in the markets it serves. Accel is the largest terminal operator in the country, supporting more than 26,000 gaming terminals in 4,300 local and regional establishments across ten states. Offering turnkey full-service gaming solutions, Accel designs, manufactures, installs, and operates gaming terminals and related equipment, including slot machines, redemption terminals, video game machines, gaming software, and amusements to authorized non-casino locations including bars, restaurants, convenience stores, truck stops, fraternal and veteran establishments as well as casinos and horseracing venues. For more information, please visit www.accelentertainment.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250417311386/en/

Media:

Eric Bonach

H/Advisors Abernathy

212-371-5999

eric.bonach@h-advisors.global

Source: Accel Entertainment, Inc.

FAQ

When does Fairmount Park Casino & Racing (ACEL) open to the public?

Fairmount Park Casino & Racing opens on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 9 am.

What gaming options are available at ACEL's new Fairmount Park Casino?

The 12,000 sq. ft. venue offers the latest slots and electronic table games.

When does the 2025 racing season begin at Fairmount Park?

The racing season begins Tuesday, April 22, 2025, with gates opening at 9 am and first race at 1:30 pm.

What dining options will be available at ACEL's Fairmount Park facility?

The venue will feature three new concessions and a full-service restaurant and bar opening in June, operated by Fifty/50 Hospitality Group.