Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASCA) announced today that Chet W. Koch has been promoted to Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ameristar Kansas City.

Koch had been serving as the property's Vice President and Acting General Manager. He has been an Ameristar Team Member since September 2006.

"Chet has consistently proven himself to be a skilled and respected executive," said Michelle Shriver, Senior Vice President of Operations for Ameristar. "I am very pleased to announce his promotion to the role of General Manager at one of Ameristar's largest properties."

Before being promoted to the Acting General Manager role in August 2007, Koch was the property's Vice President of Finance. Koch -- whose gaming industry career spans three decades -- also previously was Vice President of Finance at Grand Casino Tunica in Mississippi, Regional Vice President of Finance for Caesars Entertainment's Northern Mid-South Region and Vice President of Casino Finance at Windsor Casino Ltd., in Ontario, Canada.

Koch also served in various operational capacities for casinos operated by Harrah's, Claridge, Hilton and Resorts. His expansive experience took him to major domestic and international gaming destinations including Reno, Nevada; Atlantic City, N.J.; Queensland, Australia; and Windsor.

"I am very excited to lead Ameristar Kansas City's Team," Koch said. "I look forward to continuing to work closely with our talented Team Members as we fulfill our pledge to consistently provide Ameristar's high standard of service excellence and product quality."

Koch attended Iowa State University and Stockton State College with an emphasis in business management and accounting. He has been directly involved in opening 13 casinos ranging from small properties to large, land-based destination casino-hotels. Koch received the 1993-94 Promus Companies (Harrah's) Chairman's Award for Expert Skill for his various roles in opening six casinos in less than 18 months.

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 market share 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 in St. Charles (greater St. Louis); Ameristar Casino Hotel in East Chicago (Chicagoland area); Ameristar Kansas City; Ameristar Council Bluffs (Omaha, Neb., and southwestern Iowa); Ameristar Vicksburg (Jackson, Miss., and Monroe, La.); Ameristar Black Hawk (Denver metropolitan area); and Cactus Petes and The Horseshu in Jackpot, Nev. (Idaho and the Pacific Northwest).