---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001698991-26-000009"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ACEL"
cik: "0001698991"
company_name: "Accel Entertainment, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-02-03T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T05:21:29.669288+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# CEO Rubenstein becomes Chairman; Mark Phelan named COO, to succeed as CEO Aug 7, 2026

## Summary
- Andy Rubenstein appointed Chairman effective immediately; Karl Peterson becomes Lead Independent Director.
- Mark Phelan (President – US Gaming) appointed COO effective immediately, will become CEO and President on Aug 7, 2026.
- Rubenstein enters Transition Agreement: three-year advisory role, receives 335,516 RSUs vesting quarterly over three years.
- Phelan's A&R employment: base salary to $805,906 post-transition, target bonus 100% of salary, two-year severance upon qualifying termination.
- Board will nominate Rubenstein for director through 2028 annual meetings, contingent on ≥5% ownership.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001698991-26-000009
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ACEL
- cik: 0001698991
- company_name: Accel Entertainment, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-02-03T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1698991/000169899126000009/0001698991-26-000009-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1698991/000169899126000009/acel-20260202.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001698991-26-000009
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001698991-26-000009.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001698991-26-000009.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.