Ameristar Casinos Opens St. Charles Hotel

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASCA) announced today the opening of its 400-suite, luxury hotel in St. Charles, Mo. The first 100 suites will be available for occupancy this week. The Company currently expects no less than 80 to 100 additional suites will be opened to the public each month thereafter, with all suites available for occupancy this spring. The property's 7,000-square-foot spa and indoor/outdoor pool also are scheduled for an early spring completion.

"We are pleased to introduce this luxurious new hotel to our guests," said Ameristar CEO and President John Boushy. "The spacious suites feature a wide variety of custom finishes and amenities that demonstrate Ameristar's commitment to providing the highest quality guest experience. As we continue to offer additional suites and unveil our new spa this spring, Ameristar will reinforce its position as the region's premier gaming destination."

St. Charles - The Total Gaming Resort Experience

Upon completion of the hotel and spa, Ameristar Casino St. Charles will be re-named Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in St. Charles. The luxury hotel with 400 oversized suites including presidential and spa suites, the 7,000-square-foot, full-service spa, a new indoor/outdoor pool surrounded by landscaped grounds, cabanas and fire pits, and a new 2,300-space parking garage, will complement a series of newly opened improvements at the resort, including:

    -- HOME, a 17,500-square-foot, high-energy nightclub that debuted on
       Dec. 27 to sellout crowds with a five-day celebrity grand opening. The
       ultra-modern entertainment facility, which hosts the industry's best-
       known DJs and delivers music over a custom sound system, is redefining
       Midwest nightlife.
    -- Lixx, a chic new circle bar located on the gaming floor, features 12
       flat screen televisions and 13 popular video poker machines.
       Guests visiting Lixx enjoy dedicated bartenders and servers and music
       piped through a state-of-the-art audio system all surrounded by dynamic
       table games.
    -- A new, five-lane boulevard that significantly improves access to the
       property. The roadway already has improved safety and alleviated long-
       standing congestion at the property, and its aesthetic enhancements,
       such as custom landscaping and improved lighting, which will be
       installed this spring, will significantly elevate the overall guest
       experience and provide an enhanced sense of arrival to the resort.

Rounding out the resort's attractions are numerous well-established amenities:

    -- One of the largest casinos in the United States, with a 130,000-square-
       foot gaming floor boasting more than 3,000 slot and video poker
       machines and 97 table games.
    -- Seven restaurants, which have won numerous awards and accolades,
       including the upscale 47 Port Street Grill serving a variety of choice
       steak and seafood dishes complemented by an extensive wine list, the
       Landmark Buffet with its multiple serving stations, the 24-hour Falcon
       Diner providing the best in heartland specialties and a bakery complete
       with fresh-baked breads, pies and pastries.
    -- A luxurious, contemporary 19,000-square-foot meeting and convention
       center that provides banquet seating for up to 600 guests and reception
       seating for up to 1,450.

"The new amenities and facility enhancements complement our exceptional casino experience and guest service, and will appeal to both leisure and business guests seeking a wide array of amenities in a single location," Boushy said.

Forward Looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking information that generally can be identified by the context of the statement or the use of forward- looking terminology, such as "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "intends," "expects," "plans," "is confident that" or words of similar meaning, with reference to Ameristar or our management. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives, strategies, financial results or position, operational expectations or goals are forward-looking statements. It is possible that our expectations may not be met due to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, and we therefore cannot give any assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. For a discussion of relevant factors, risks and uncertainties that could materially affect our future results, attention is directed to "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

About Ameristar

Ameristar Casinos, Inc. is a leading Las Vegas-based gaming and entertainment company known for its premier properties characterized by innovative architecture, state-of-the-art casino floors and superior dining, lodging and entertainment offerings. Ameristar's focus on the total entertainment experience and the highest quality guest service has earned it a leading market share position in each of the markets in which it operates. Founded in 1954 in Jackpot, Nevada, Ameristar has been a public company since November 1993. The Company has a portfolio of eight casinos in seven markets: Ameristar St. Charles (greater St. Louis); Ameristar Kansas City; Ameristar Council Bluffs (Omaha, Nebraska and southwestern Iowa); Ameristar Vicksburg (Jackson, Mississippi and Monroe, Louisiana); Ameristar Black Hawk (Denver metropolitan area); Cactus Petes and The Horseshu in Jackpot, Nevada (Idaho and the Pacific Northwest); and Resorts East Chicago (Chicagoland area), which was acquired on Sept. 18, 2007.

Visit Ameristar Casinos' web site at http://www.ameristar.com

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