Louisiana regulators OK Ameristar acquisition

22 June 2012

By Howard Stutz

In a statement, Las Vegas-based Ameristar Casinos, Inc. said it would begin construction of the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Lake Charles the week of July 16 on the 242-acre site, before the July 20 deadline under license conditions approved by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

Ameristar plans a casino with 1,600 slot machines and 60 table games, a 700-room hotel, several restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, a tennis club, swimming pools, a spa, other resort amenities and 3,000 parking spaces.

Las Vegas-based Creative was the original developer of the project, which is Louisiana's last remaining riverboat gaming license.

"We look forward to building a premier property that will further distinguish Lake Charles as a true resort destination serving southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas, including the Houston metropolitan area," Ameristar CEO Gordon Kanofsky said in a statement.