Accel’s Century Gaming Deepens Chippewa Cree Tribe Partnership With Northern Winz Casino II Conversion
Century Gaming has expanded its partnership with the Chippewa Cree Tribe after completing a full gaming machine and systems conversion at Northern Winz Casino II in Box Elder, Montana.
The Accel Entertainment subsidiary, which operates as Century Gaming Technologies, replaced all 51 legacy, privately owned electronic gaming terminals at the Class III facility with 51 new Century Gaming machines powered by its proprietary systems platform. The conversion was announced on 8 July.
The move takes Century Gaming’s total footprint across the Tribe’s two Northern Winz properties to 100 electronic gaming terminals, extending an existing relationship that consisted of 49 machines at the adjacent Northern Winz Casino.
Existing 49-Machine Partnership Expands to Northern Winz Casino II
Century Gaming has worked with the Chippewa Cree Tribe for several years at Northern Winz Casino, where it vends 49 machines on the property’s broader gaming floor.
Northern Winz Casino II, however, had continued to operate 51 privately owned legacy terminals that had reached the end of their useful life. The Tribe replaced the entire legacy floor with Century Gaming equipment, moving Northern Winz Casino II away from its previous privately owned equipment model.
The conversion changes more than the supplier mix. Northern Winz Casino II is moving from privately owned legacy terminals to Century-provided machines and proprietary systems, giving the vendor a broader operational role at the property. Accel’s core business is terminal operation, with more than 28,000 machines across over 4,500 third-party locations in ten states.
The decision followed the Tribe’s direct experience with Century Gaming’s technology and service capabilities at the neighbouring Northern Winz Casino. Century’s field team had also supported the legacy machines at Northern Winz Casino II, giving Tribal leadership further visibility into the company’s operational performance before the conversion.
Andy Rubenstein, Chief Executive Officer of Accel Entertainment, said earning the trust of a partner already familiar with the company’s work was the highest compliment in the business.
“The Chippewa Cree Tribe has had a front-row seat to the performance, reliability, and service Century Gaming delivers every day at Northern Winz Casino, and their decision to expand our role to Northern Winz Casino II speaks to the quality of our team and our platform,” Rubenstein said.
51-Machine Conversion Moves Casino to Century’s Proprietary Systems Platform
The project extends beyond the replacement of gaming terminals. Northern Winz Casino II has also adopted Century Gaming’s full suite of proprietary systems.
According to Accel Entertainment, the platform provides enhanced operational visibility, cash management and player engagement capabilities that were not available under the casino’s previous privately owned equipment model.
Calvin Jilot, Tribal Business Committee Member and Acting General Manager of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, said the Tribe’s experience with Century Gaming at the first Northern Winz property influenced the decision.
“Working with Century Gaming at Northern Winz Casino gave us a clear picture of what their equipment and service could do,” Jilot said. “When we decided it was time to upgrade Northern Winz Casino II, there was no question who we wanted as our partner. Century’s systems and their team’s commitment to delivering a better player experience made this an easy decision.”
Century Gaming Now Supports Machines and Systems Across Both Properties
The Chippewa Cree Tribe operates both Class II and Class III gaming, with its Class III operations conducted under a compact with the State of Montana. Northern Winz Casino II operates exclusively as a Class III facility.
The conversion gives Century Gaming a combined 100-terminal footprint across the two properties: 49 machines at the existing Northern Winz Casino and 51 newly installed machines at Northern Winz Casino II. Its machines are now deployed at both, with its proprietary systems supporting the second facility.
What the Conversion Means for Accel’s Tribal Gaming Presence
Neither company has announced further expansion plans, and the release makes no reference to additional properties or a wider agreement.
What the conversion does deliver is a larger operating presence in tribal gaming. Accel’s business has been built on route operation in non-casino venues across ten states. Tribal gaming operates on different terms, with sovereignty, compacts and long-standing ownership structures shaping how floors are equipped. After several years of working with Century Gaming at the adjacent Northern Winz Casino, the Tribe’s decision to retire its own terminals in favour of Century’s machines and systems expands the company’s role within the Tribe’s gaming operations.
Whether the conversion leads to any wider expansion remains unannounced. For now, Century Gaming has expanded from a 49-machine presence at one Northern Winz property to a 100-terminal footprint across two, while adding its proprietary systems platform at the Class III Northern Winz Casino II facility.
Source : Accel Entertainment
