Ameristar Takes Proactive Steps Toward Improving Indoor Air Comfort

LAS VEGAS, NV–(Marketwire – July 13, 2010) –  Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASCA) announced today that it will be the first casino in each of its riverboat markets to add Smoke Away Systems’ air filtration units to its gaming floors. “All of our properties have state-of-the-art air filtration systems,” said Gordon R. Kanofsky, Ameristar’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the comfort of our team members and guests being of utmost importance, we are pleased to adopt this additional new technology as a corporate standard.”

The Smoke Away units vacuum tobacco smoke before reaching the ambient environment. The smoke is put through a patented filter process, and the result is an additional improvement in indoor air comfort. The Smoke Away units are being installed into Ameristar’s gaming tables, including Blackjack, Baccarat, Craps and Roulette.

Sebastian Font, President of Smoke Away Systems, said, “By being the first non-Native American casino operator in the world to adopt the Smoke Away System as its corporate standard, Ameristar will have an advantage over its competitors. Even more importantly, Ameristar is demonstrating its commitment to the comfort of its team members and guests.”

“No other system approaches indoor air comfort like Smoke Away,” Mr. Font added. “Not only does it create goodwill with team members and guests, it also reduces energy costs associated with air changes in the casino, and reduces maintenance costs of HVAC filters, coils and de-odorizing systems.”

Forward-Looking Information
This release contains certain forward-looking information that generally can be identified by the context of the statement or the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “is confident that,” “should,” or words of similar meaning, with reference to Ameristar or our management. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives, strategies, financial results or position, operational expectations or goals are forward-looking statements. It is possible that our expectations may not be met due to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, and we therefore cannot give any assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. For a discussion of relevant factors, risks and uncertainties that could materially affect our future results, attention is directed to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 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).

ABOUT SMOKE AWAY SYSTEMS
Smoke Away Systems manufactures innovative air filtration systems that target second hand smoke before it reaches casino guests and employees. Their products help casino operators create a cleaner and more comfortable gaming environment, resulting in improved player development and employee engagement, and reduced costs associated with facilities maintenance. Smoke Away Systems’ North American clients span from Atlantic City to Washington State to Canada.

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