Ameristar names GM for new property

19 September 2007

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASCA) today announced that Timothy D. Wright has been appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager of the East Chicago, Indiana, property, which was acquired today from Resorts International Holdings, LLC. Ameristar also announced Pete Longi will serve as the property's Vice President and Assistant General Manager.

"Tim's track record with Ameristar is one of great success, and he is the ideal leader for our East Chicago property," said Ameristar CEO and President John Boushy. "The tremendous expertise he has acquired working in numerous leadership positions at Ameristar along with his experience at many of the nation's most competitive, quality-oriented casino destinations will be a tremendous asset as we instill the Ameristar culture and introduce a new level of excellence into East Chicago, which serves the third-largest commercial gaming market in the country."

Wright served previously as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ameristar Kansas City, the Company's largest property. Immediately prior to that, he held the position of Assistant General Manager at the property. Wright also served as Director of Food and Beverage at Ameristar St. Charles before he was promoted to Ameristar Kansas City.

Before joining Ameristar, Wright gained more than a decade of experience in the gaming industry in Las Vegas and Reno and other gaming markets. He began his career in food and beverage, operating and managing a number of upscale restaurants at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, Harrah's and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas; Peppermill Hotel Casino and Eldorado Hotel Casino in Reno; and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

"I'm honored to serve as Ameristar's first general manager in the Chicagoland market," Wright said. "I'm looking forward to providing our guests with a level of service they have never seen before, and to recognizing the integral role our Team Members play in achieving that goal. Our guests are going to enjoy playing at our East Chicago property -- and our Team Members are going to be extremely proud to work at Ameristar."

Wright is a member of the Confrie De La Chaine Des Rotisseurs and served as chairman for the Northern Nevada Region of the Nevada Restaurant Association.

Pete Longi will assume the role of Vice President and Assistant General Manager at East Chicago when he obtains his Indiana gaming license. He most recently served as Vice President of Casino Operations at Ameristar's Cactus Petes property in Jackpot, Nevada, and, prior to that, he held the Director of Slot Operations post at Cactus Petes. Longi spent several years in Missouri, working as Slot Operations Manager and Slot Shift Manager at Ameristar Kansas City.

"Pete will add additional depth to our East Chicago leadership team," Boushy continued. "Like Tim, he has obtained extensive experience at Ameristar and has the knowledge and skill set necessary to set a new standard for casino entertainment in East Chicago. Tim and Pete join an experienced management team from which we expect great results as we prepare to launch the Ameristar brand in Chicagoland."

As described in a separate press release issued today, Ameristar plans to begin improvements at the East Chicago property immediately. Enhancements will include upgrading the casino floor with new technology and an improved mix and layout of games; implementing Ameristar's best-in-class food and beverage programs; and adopting the operational and marketing approaches that have been successful at all Ameristar properties. The Company will launch the Ameristar brand in the Chicago area when upgrades are completed. Ameristar currently expects to incur $20 million to $25 million of capital expenditures and $5 million to $7 million of one-time expenses in connection with the integration, enhancements and re-branding of the East Chicago property.

Former Resorts East Chicago Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe DeRosa is remaining with the property's previous owner, Resorts International Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Colony Capital and its partner, Nicholas L. Ribis.