LAS VEGAS, NV -- (Marketwire) -- 05/27/09 -- Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASCA) today announced that it has completed its previously announced private offerings of $650 million aggregate principal amount of 9-1/4% senior unsecured notes due 2014. $500 million aggregate principal amount of the notes were sold at a price of 97.097% of the principal amount and $150 million aggregate principal amount of the notes were sold at a price of 100% of the principal amount. The net proceeds from the offerings of approximately $620 million were used to prepay and permanently retire a portion of the outstanding revolving loans and revolving loan commitments under the Company's senior secured credit facility.

The notes have not initially been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any state securities law and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer or sale would be unlawful.

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 leading positions in the markets in which it operates. Founded in 1954 in Jackpot, Nev., Ameristar has been a public company since November 1993. The Company has a portfolio of eight casinos in seven markets: Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles (greater St. Louis); Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago (Chicagoland area); Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City; Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs (Omaha, Neb. and southwestern Iowa); Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg (Jackson, Miss. and Monroe, La.); Ameristar Casino Black Hawk (Denver metropolitan area); and Cactus Petes and The Horseshu in Jackpot, Nev. (Idaho and the Pacific Northwest).

Visit Ameristar Casinos' web site at www.ameristar.com (which shall not be deemed to be incorporated in or a part of this press release).