Accel Entertainment has signalled strong interest in entering the Chicago market as city officials move closer to allowing video gaming terminals (VGT) in licenced locations. The company said it is actively assessing the opportunity after recent discussions suggested Chicago may introduce a regulated VGT framework. If approved, the move could unlock a new revenue stream for the city and create a major expansion opportunity for established VGT operators.
Chicago does not currently permit Video Gaming Terminals within the city, unlike many other parts of Illinois. However, that position may soon change. The City Council Office of Financial Analysis has examined the potential impact of allowing VGTs in licenced venues such as bars and restaurants.
According to COFA estimates, the introduction of VGTs could generate millions of dollars in additional annual tax revenue for the city. Experts have suggested that yearly tax collections could reach as high as $64 million once the market matures. This projection assumes gross gaming revenue of around $1 billion a year from Chicago alone, on top of the roughly $3 billion already generated by VGT locations across the rest of Illinois.
Analysts have also cautioned that it could take up to ten years for the Chicago VGT market to reach full maturity, depending on rollout speed, regulation and player adoption.
In an official statement, Accel Entertainment confirmed that it is “evaluating the potential to bring its distributed gaming and local entertainment model” to Chicago if the city proceeds with VGT approval. Accel is one of the largest distributed gaming operators in Illinois, with an established presence across thousands of licenced locations in the state.
The company highlighted that under Illinois law, VGT operators currently receive a statutory share of 32.04 percent of gross gaming revenue. Based on the projected size of the Chicago market, this could translate into around $320 million in incremental net terminal income for the licenced operator community within the city.
For Accel, this represents a sizeable commercial opportunity, particularly given its existing footprint and operational experience in Illinois. As the city weighs potential regulatory changes, broader gambling trends continue to shape player behaviour, with interest growing in digital alternatives such as top-rated new online casinos alongside traditional land-based gaming options.
While acknowledging that it may take several years for the market to reach full scale, Accel believes it could start generating revenue sooner than some forecasts suggest. The company said that if VGTs are approved and rolled out, its Chicago operations could begin contributing revenue as early as the third or fourth quarter of 2026.
From that point, Accel expects a gradual ramp up toward steady state performance, in line with regulatory approvals, customer acquisition and the number of licenced locations brought online.
Accel also pointed to its financial and operational readiness as a key advantage. The company said it has a strong balance sheet and established fixed operating infrastructure that could support an expansion into Chicago without the need for major structural changes.
Its existing route management capabilities and fixed asset base in Illinois are expected to play a central role in scaling operations efficiently, subject to final regulatory rules and commercial terms set by the city.
Chicago’s final decision on VGTs, including licensing conditions, tax rates and operational requirements, has yet to be confirmed. Accel said its leadership team will continue to monitor developments closely while refining its capital deployment strategy for a potential Chicago launch.
As discussions continue at city level, Accel’s interest underlines the scale of the opportunity that regulated VGTs could bring, both for Chicago’s public finances and for established gaming operators already active in Illinois.
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