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Ameristar Casinos names senior VP

3 April 2007

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASCA) today announced that Ray H. Neilsen has been promoted to corporate Senior Vice President. He assumes this title in addition to holding the position of Co-Chairman of the Board. The promotion reflects Neilsen's assumption of an expanded role following the passing of company founder Craig H. Neilsen. In this role, Ray Neilsen continues to be involved in companywide operations and design direction. Since the passing of his father, Neilsen has also assumed a more active leadership role in the overall strategic direction of the company with an increased focus on growth. Further, he is playing an integral role in continuing to shape the company's culture and evolving the legacy of Ameristar.

"I am very pleased to announce Ray's promotion to Senior Vice President and am excited to work with him in this expanded leadership capacity," said John M. Boushy, CEO and President. "Ray brings an invaluable perspective as we build on the legacy that his father and company founder Craig H. Neilsen left us. Further, Ray's expertise in operations and development will serve us well as we continue to aggressively grow the Ameristar brand."

Previously, Neilsen was Vice President of Operations and Special Projects, providing oversight in operations and working with the corporate development and construction teams. He was formerly Senior Vice President and General Manager at Ameristar Vicksburg, the region's long-time market share leader. During his tenure at Vicksburg, Neilsen dramatically extended the property's market share lead, taking the market share from 29% to now dominate the market at 46%. While General Manager in Vicksburg, he oversaw a number of major renovation projects to the property which was a key factor in achieving market dominance.

Neilsen also held the position of General Manager at Ameristar Council Bluffs. He was instrumental in opening the casino and oversaw a subsequent expansion project. He led the property in earning the prestigious Four Diamond rating from the American Automobile Association, the first riverboat in the nation to hold this designation. Ameristar Council Bluffs has maintained that rating to date.

"As the third generation of the Neilsen family to be involved in the company, I am very excited to be part of an executive team that will lead Ameristar toward even greater achievements and growth. My father established a strong foundation for us to build upon, and we intend to continue that legacy going forward."

Neilsen was voted 2004 "Man of the Year" by readers of The Vicksburg Post, the community's daily newspaper. He serves as Co-Trustee and member of the Board of Directors of the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, and has been actively involved as an advisory board member of the Foundation since its inception. He is active on the boards of the Alliance of Vicksburg-Warren County and Vicksburg Riverfest. He is a personal advocate of the city's Riverfront Mural Project.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in History from the Albertson College of Idaho and a Masters in Business Administration from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

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