LAS VEGAS, NV–(Marketwire – July 21, 2010) –  Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASCA) announced today it will subsidize medical coverage for part-time team members. After more than 18 months of research, Ameristar has selected CIGNA’s Fundamental Care limited medical benefit plan. Ameristar will pay one-half of the premiums for part-time team members and their dependents. “We recognize the importance of medical insurance for our team members and their families,” said Gordon R. Kanofsky, Ameristar’s Chief Executive Officer. “This is another way we can show team members we appreciate their commitment to delivering outstanding service to our guests.”

As part of ensuring that this plan will be beneficial to those without access to other insurance options, Ameristar hosted focus groups with part-time team members. Their feedback led to Ameristar’s decision to make the Fundamental Care plan available to all part-time team members. “We have found a plan we believe will be both attractive and affordable for a broad range of our part-time team members,” added Kanofsky.

CIGNA administers the health benefits plan for Ameristar’s full-time team members and is also the insurance carrier for Ameristar’s life, accident and disability coverage. “They have one of the largest national networks of physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers,” said Cynthia Mercer, Ameristar’s Chief Human Resources Officer. “We are pleased to add this to the other benefits currently offered to our valuable part-time team members: paid time off, educational assistance, our 401(k) Plan and the employee assistance program.” Coverage will begin September 1, 2010.

ABOUT AMERISTAR
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. is a leading Las Vegas-based gaming and entertainment company known for its premier properties characterized by 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 Resort Spa Black Hawk (Denver metropolitan area); and Cactus Petes Resort Casino and The Horseshu Hotel and Casino in Jackpot, Nev. (Idaho and the Pacific Northwest).

Visit Ameristar Casinos’ website at www.ameristar.com (which shall not be
 deemed to be incorporated in or a part of this news release).

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