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Ameristar Kansas City Gets Approval to Consolidate Casinos

By removing the wall between the two existing casinos, Ameristar hopes to take advantage of the synergies and additional excitement created by having a single casino that is larger and more spacious than each of the two existing casinos. The consolidation will provide additional conveniences to Ameristar's guests, allowing them to walk throughout the entire combined casino without having to exit one casino and re-enter the other as in the property's current configuration. Ameristar also expects to improve operational efficiencies at the property as a result of the combination of the two existing casinos into one.

The transition to one casino was facilitated by open boarding rules enacted last year and will be relatively seamless with minimal construction disruption at the property. The single casino configuration is expected to be complete by the end of September 2001.

``I am pleased to receive this approval,'' explains Ameristar's President of Missouri Operations John V. Finamore. ``The single casino configuration will serve our guests better with improved circulation on the casino floor. It will also allow us to compete with other operators more effectively in the highly competitive Kansas City market.''

Prior to the enactment of open boarding in 2000, patrons could only enter a casino during the first 45 minutes of each 2-hour cruise. Thus, operating two casinos allowed guests to board one of the casinos during 45 minutes of each hour. With the enactment of open boarding, operating two separate casinos no longer provides any additional convenience to guests because guests can enter either casino at any time.

In connection with seeking the approval of the casino consolidation, Ameristar has committed to spend at least $20 million to construct a 2,200-space parking garage at Ameristar Kansas City. Ameristar has committed to commence construction on the parking facility not later than June 27, 2003.

Ameristar Casinos, Inc. is an innovative, Las Vegas-based gaming company known for its distinctive, quality conscious hotel casinos, and value orientation. Led by President and Chief Executive Officer Craig H. Neilsen, the organization's roots go back nearly five decades to a tiny roadside casino located in the high plateau country that borders Idaho and Nevada. Publicly held since November 1993, the corporation owns and operates six properties in Nevada, Missouri, Iowa and Mississippi, two of which carry the prestigious American Automobile Association's Four Diamond designation.

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