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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2012

Registration No. 333-            

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Ameristar Casinos, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

3773 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 490S

Las Vegas, Nevada 89169

(702) 567-7000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Peter C. Walsh

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer

3773 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 490S

Las Vegas, Nevada 89169

(702) 567-7000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

With a copy to:

Jonathan K. Layne, Esq.

Mark S. Lahive, Esq.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2029 Century Park East

Los Angeles, California 90067

(310) 552-8641

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box. o

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

The registrant and co-registrants hereby amend this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant and the co-registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities nor a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. We may not complete the exchange offer and issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.

Subject to Completion, dated October 10, 2012

PROSPECTUS

$240,000,000

Ameristar Casinos, Inc.

Exchange Offer for All Outstanding

7.50% Senior Notes due 2021

(CUSIP Nos. 03070Q AP6 and U02677 AF6)

for new 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021

that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933

This exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time,

on [•] 2012, unless extended.

We are jointly offering to exchange up to $240,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 7.5% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Exchange Notes”) for an equal amount of our outstanding, unregistered 7.5% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Outstanding Notes”) that were issued on April 26, 2012.  The Outstanding Notes are, and the Exchange Notes will be, part of a single series of 7.5% Senior Notes due 2021 in the aggregate principal amount of $1,040,000,000, of which $800,000,000 were initially issued on April 14, 2011 in a private placement transaction and subsequently exchanged for substantially identical notes (collectively, the “2011 Senior Notes”) registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).  The term “2012 Senior Notes” refers to both the Outstanding Notes and the Exchange Notes, and the term “Notes” refers to both the 2012 Senior Notes and the 2011 Senior Notes.  We refer to the offer to exchange the Exchange Notes for the Outstanding Notes as the “exchange offer” in this prospectus.  The Exchange Notes will be identical in all material respects to the Outstanding Notes, except that the Exchange Notes are registered under the Securities Act, and except that the transfer restrictions, registration rights and additional interest provisions relating to the Outstanding Notes will not apply to the Exchange Notes.

Material Terms of the Exchange Offer:

·    The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [·], 2012, unless extended.

·    Upon expiration of the exchange offer, all Outstanding Notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn will be exchanged for an equal principal amount of the Exchange Notes.

·    You may withdraw tendered Outstanding Notes at any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

·    The exchange offer is not subject to any minimum tender condition, but is subject to customary conditions.

·    The exchange of the Exchange Notes for Outstanding Notes will not be a taxable exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

·    There is no existing public market for the Outstanding Notes or the Exchange Notes. We do not intend to list the Exchange Notes on any securities exchange or quotation system.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 17.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or the accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

None of the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Missouri Gaming Commission, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, the Indiana Gaming Commission, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board or any other gaming regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete.

Prospectus dated [•], 2012

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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or represent anything to you about Ameristar, its financial results or this offering other than the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. If given or made, any such other information or representation should not be relied upon as having been authorized by Ameristar.

Ameristar is not making an offer to sell or asking for offers to buy any of the securities in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful, where the person making the offer is not qualified to do so, or to any person who can not legally be offered the securities.

The information in this prospectus is current only as of the date on its cover, and may change after that date. The information in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus is current only as of the date of any such document. For any time after the cover date of this prospectus, we do not represent that our affairs are the same as described or that the information in this prospectus is correct — nor do we imply those things by delivering this prospectus or selling securities to you.

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Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it shall deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer shall not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Outstanding Notes where such Outstanding Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after consummation of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, who makes a written or oral request, a copy of our filings and any and all of the documents referred to herein, including the registration rights agreement and the Indenture for the Notes, which are summarized in this prospectus, by writing or calling us at the following address or telephone number.

Ameristar Casinos, Inc.

3773 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 490S

Las Vegas, Nevada 89169

Attn: Corporate Secretary

Telephone: (702) 567-7000

In order to ensure timely delivery, you must request the information no later than five business days before the expiration of the exchange offer.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

We incorporate by reference certain information we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Specifically, we incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

·                Our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed on February 28, 2012;

·                Our definitive proxy statement filed on April 30, 2012;

·                Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, filed on May 9, 2012;

·                Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, filed on August 8, 2012;

·                Our current reports on Form 8-K, as filed on the following dates: January 19, 2012, March 16, 2012, April 17, 2012, April 20, 2012, April 30, 2012, June 14, 2012 and July 20, 2012.

All documents and reports filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) after the date of this prospectus and on or before the time that our offering of the exchange notes is completed are deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents or reports, except as to any portion of any future annual, quarterly or current reports or proxy statements which is not deemed to be filed under those sections. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that any statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

The information in the above filings speaks only as of the respective dates thereof, or, where applicable, the dates identified therein. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as the SEC’s regional offices. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information relating to the public reference room. These SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the Indenture and registration rights agreement without charge by writing to Ameristar Casinos, Inc., 3773 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 490S, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

As presented herein, Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-operating income and expenses, stock-based compensation, deferred compensation plan expense, non-operational professional fees, impairment charges related to fixed and intangible assets, loss on early retirement of debt, pre-opening and rebranding costs, ballot initiative costs, net river flooding expenses and reimbursements and a one-time Black Hawk property tax adjustment. Adjusted EBITDA is a commonly used measure of performance in the gaming industry, as well as by other issuers and analysts, that we believe, when considered with measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, gives investors a more complete understanding of operating results before the impact of investing and financing transactions, income taxes and certain non-cash and non-recurring items and facilitates comparisons between us and our competitors. Adjusted EBITDA has several limitations that are discussed under the heading “Prospectus Summary — Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data” in this prospectus, where we also include a quantitative reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial performance measure, which is net income (loss).

MARKET, RANKING AND OTHER INDUSTRY DATA

The data included in this prospectus or incorporated by reference regarding markets and ranking, including the size of certain markets and our position and the position of our competitors within these markets, are based on reports of government agencies or published industry sources and estimates based on Ameristar’s management’s knowledge and experience in the markets in which Ameristar operates. These estimates have been based on information obtained from our trade and business organizations and other contacts in the markets in which we operate. Ameristar believes these estimates to be accurate as of the date of this prospectus or the date of such incorporated document, as applicable. However, this information may prove to be inaccurate because of the method by which Ameristar obtained some of the data for the estimates or because this information cannot always be verified with complete certainty due to the limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties. As a result, you should be aware that market, ranking and other similar industry data included in this prospectus, and estimates and beliefs based on that data, may not be reliable. Ameristar cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information contained in this prospectus.

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference documents containing certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.  Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, our forward-looking statements.  Words such as “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “is confident that,” and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “would” and “could,” are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  Readers should not rely solely on the forward-looking statements and should consider all uncertainties and risks throughout this prospectus, including those set forth or incorporated by reference under “Risk Factors.”  The statements are representative only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

All forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Our actual future results may differ materially from those set forth in our forward-looking statements.  We face risks that are inherent in the businesses and the marketplaces in which we operate.  While management believes these forward-looking statements are accurate and reasonable, uncertainties, risks and factors, including those described below and under “Risk Factors,” could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those included, contemplated or implied by the forward-looking statements made, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, and the reader should not consider the above list of factors to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

In this prospectus, the words “Ameristar,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” and “Company” refer to Ameristar Casinos, Inc., the issuer of the Exchange Notes, and its consolidated subsidiaries (except as otherwise indicated). The following summary contains basic information about the Company and this offering. It is not complete and likely does not contain all the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of this offering, you should read this entire document and the documents we have referred you to, including the information described under the heading “Risk Factors” and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, including the financial data and related notes, before making an investment decision.

The Company

Overview

We are a developer, owner and operator of casino entertainment facilities in local and regional markets in the United States. Ameristar has been a public company since November 1993. We currently own and operate eight properties in seven markets in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri and Nevada, and in July 2012 we began construction of our ninth property, a new luxury casino resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana (see “Recent Development”). We believe that we benefit from the diversification of our properties. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we generated net revenues and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,214.5 million and $365.1 million, respectively.

Our goal is to capitalize on our high-quality facilities and products and our dedication to superior guest service to effectively compete in each of our markets and to drive growth from our existing and additionally developed or acquired properties, which creates value for our stockholders. We believe the Ameristar experience differentiates us from our competitors. That experience is built upon our high-quality facilities and products, such as slots, food, lodging, entertainment and the appreciative service our approximately 7,200 team members offer our guests. Our casinos feature spacious gaming floors and have the largest number of gaming positions in most of our markets. We believe we feature more of the newest and most popular slot machines than any other casino in each market. We design the flow of our casino floors to attractively position and draw attention to our newest and most popular games and provide convenient access to other amenities, which we believe creates a more entertaining experience for our guests.

Most of our revenue comes from slot play, but we also offer a wide range of table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette and poker, in the majority of our markets. We set minimum and maximum betting limits for the properties based on competitive conditions and other factors. Our gaming revenues are derived from a broad base of guests, and we do not depend exclusively upon high- or low-stakes players. We extend gaming credit at our properties in Indiana, Mississippi and Nevada.

Our hotels offer upscale accommodations with tastefully appointed rooms offering appealing amenities. Our signature dining concepts include steakhouses, elaborate buffets and casual dining restaurants, including sports bars. Whether in our steakhouses or delis, our emphasis is on quality in all aspects of the dining experience — food, service, ambiance and facilities. The private Star Clubs at all but our Jackpot properties offer upper tier Star Awards players club members an exclusive place to relax.

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Properties

The following table presents selected statistical and other information concerning our properties as of September 1, 2012.

(1)                    We acquired the St. Charles and Kansas City properties in 2000, the Black Hawk property in 2004 and the East Chicago property in 2007.

(2)                    Includes poker tables at the St. Charles, Kansas City, Black Hawk, Vicksburg and Jackpot properties.

(3)                    See “Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data” for the definition of Adjusted EBITDA and related reconciliations. Property Adjusted EBITDA excludes approximately $48.2 million of corporate and other expenses.

(4)                    Includes three outlets at Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City and an outlet at Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago that are leased to and operated by third parties.

(5)                    Includes 284 rooms operated by affiliates of Kinseth Hospitality Corporation and located on land owned by us and leased to affiliates of Kinseth.

(6)                    Includes the operations of Cactus Petes Resort Casino and The Horseshu Hotel and Casino.

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles.  Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles serves the greater St. Louis metropolitan market with a large casino and a variety of amenities, including our luxury all-suite hotel and spa. We believe the hotel’s expansive luxury suites rank among the greater St. Louis area’s most upscale accommodations. The hotel also features a 7,000-square-foot, full-service spa and an indoor/outdoor pool. The hotel has held the prestigious American Automobile Association (“AAA”) Four Diamond designation since 2009. The property has seven dining venues, a state-of-the-art conference and banquet center and several bars.

The property is located immediately north of the Interstate 70 bridge at the Missouri River, strategically situated to attract patrons from the St. Charles and greater St. Louis areas, as well as tourists from outside the region. The property is in close proximity to the St. Charles convention facility. Interstate 70 is a 10-lane, east-west freeway offering easy access to, and direct visibility of, the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles site.

Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City.  Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City ranks among the largest state-licensed casino floors in the United States. Our hotel offers a mix of suites and standard rooms that feature custom finishes. Guests can select from nine restaurants and seven bars/lounges.

Located seven miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri, Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City attracts guests from the greater Kansas City area, as well as regional overnight guests. The property is in close proximity to the Interstate 435 bridge over the Missouri River. Interstate 435 is a six-lane, north-south expressway offering easy access to, and direct visibility of, Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City.

Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs.  Opened in 1996, Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs serves the Omaha, Nebraska and southwestern Iowa markets. The property’s hotel and Main Street Pavilion comprise its landside facilities. Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs’ 160 rooms include luxury suites and king whirlpool rooms. Ameristar Council Bluffs has held the AAA Four Diamond designation since 1997. The property also offers dining and meeting space.

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Located across the Missouri River from Omaha, the property is adjacent to the Nebraska Avenue exit on Interstate 29, immediately north of the junction of Interstate 29 and Interstate 80, which offers easy access to, and direct visibility of, Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs.

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk.  Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk is one of the largest casinos in Colorado. The 33-story hotel tower offers both luxury rooms and suites and a meeting and event center. In 2011, the hotel was awarded the AAA Four Diamond designation. It has Black Hawk’s only full-service spa, an enclosed rooftop swimming pool and indoor/outdoor whirlpool spas. We believe these amenities and services are unequaled in the Denver gaming market. The property also has four dining venues and several bars.

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk is located in the center of the Black Hawk gaming district, approximately 40 miles west of Denver, and it caters primarily to patrons from the Denver metropolitan area and surrounding states.

Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg.  Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg has been the market leader since 1994, a distinction we attribute to its superior location and premier gaming, lodging and dining offerings. The property has the market’s only live poker room and a 1,000-space parking garage with direct access to the casino. The three-level dockside casino is significantly wider than most other casinos in the market, providing a spacious, land-based feel. The property has three dining venues and meeting space.

Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg is located one-quarter mile north of Interstate 20 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The property is easily accessible and visible from the highway exit ramp and is the closest casino to I-20, a major east-west thoroughfare that connects Atlanta and Dallas. Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg caters primarily to guests from the Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi and Monroe, Louisiana areas, along with tourists visiting the area.

Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago.  Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago serves metropolitan Chicago and Northwest Indiana, the United States’ third-largest commercial gaming market. East Chicago’s dining choices include five restaurants and two bars. The property also features a newly renovated hotel, banquet space and a Star Club players’ lounge.

Located approximately 25 miles from downtown Chicago, Illinois, Ameristar East Chicago currently draws a majority of its guest base from Illinois.

The Jackpot Properties.  Cactus Petes Resort Casino and The Horseshu Hotel and Casino are located in Jackpot, Nevada, just south of the Idaho border. Cactus Petes has been operating since 1956. The properties’ resort amenities include two hotels, an Olympic-sized pool, a heated spa, a styling salon, a recreational vehicle park and access to a nearby 18-hole golf course. In addition, an adjacent general store and service station serve guests and regional travelers. The properties also offer several dining selections and a showroom. Approximately 89 hotel rooms at Cactus Petes were remodeled in 2012.

The properties are located on either side of Nevada State Highway 93, a major regional north-south route, and serve guests primarily from Idaho, and secondarily from Oregon, Washington, Montana, northern California and the southwestern Canadian provinces.

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The following table presents a summary of the market characteristics and market performance of our properties as of December 31, 2011, with the exception of the Jackpot properties, which are separately summarized below.

(1)                    A new competitor opened a casino and entertainment facility on February 3, 2012 at the Kansas Speedway in Wyandotte County, Kansas.

(2)                    The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission reports the Black Hawk and Central City, Colorado markets separately. The Black Hawk information in this table excludes eight casinos in Central City, adjacent to Black Hawk, which generated $67.8 million in total gaming revenues in 2011.

(3)                    In the Northwest Indiana market, there are a total of three operators, including Ameristar East Chicago (located in East Chicago, Hammond and Gary, Indiana), that generated $1.0 billion in annual gaming revenues in 2011. In the broader Chicagoland market, there are six additional state-licensed casinos operating in the states of Illinois and Indiana and one Native American casino in Michigan (including a new casino in Des Plaines, Illinois that opened in July 2011). The nine state-licensed casinos that were open in 2010 generated a total of $2.1 billion in annual gaming revenues in 2011.

The primary market area for the Jackpot properties is Twin Falls, Idaho (located approximately 45 miles north of Jackpot) and Boise, Idaho (located approximately 150 miles from Jackpot). The primary market area comprises approximately 600,000 adults. The balance of the Jackpot properties’ guests comes primarily from the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada. As of December 31, 2011, our Jackpot properties had approximately 57% of the slot machines and 73% of the table game positions in the Jackpot market.

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Recent Development

On March 14, 2012, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the equity interests of Creative Casinos of Louisiana, L.L.C., which has since changed its name to Ameristar Casino Lake Charles, LLC (“ACLC”), from Creative Casinos, LLC.  ACLC is the developer of a luxury casino resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  This is the last remaining riverboat gaming license available in Louisiana under current law.  On March 15, 2012, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board approved an extension of the deadline to commence construction of the property to July 20, 2012 and approved certain scope changes that we believe will enhance the competitiveness of the property.

The acquisition closed on July 16, 2012 and construction commenced on July 20, 2012.  Pursuant to the purchase agreement, we paid $32.5 million, inclusive of $5.0 million deposited into an escrow account at closing to secure the seller’s indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement for a period of 18 months.  Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Lake Charles is being developed on a 243-acre leased site and will include a casino, hotel, a variety of food and beverage outlets, an 18-hole golf course, tennis club, swimming pools, spa and other resort amenities. The Lake Charles market draws primarily from the Houston metropolitan area as well as other southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana communities.  The license conditions as revised by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board require us to invest at least $500 million in the project.  The cost of the project, inclusive of the purchase price, is expected to be between $560 million and $580 million, excluding capitalized interest and pre-opening expenses.  We are required to maintain a $25.0 million deposit, which will be fully refunded upon the timely completion of the project within two years of construction commencement.  We anticipate funding the project through a combination of cash from operations and borrowings under our revolving loan facility.  We expect to open the resort in the third quarter of 2014.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in 1993 under the laws of the State of Nevada.

Our principal executive offices are located at 3773 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 490S, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169, and our telephone number is (702) 567-7000.

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Summary of the Exchange Offer

The following is a summary of the principal terms of the exchange offer. A more detailed description is contained in the section “The Exchange Offer.”  The term “Outstanding Notes” refers to the $240,000,000 outstanding principal amount of Ameristar’s 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 that were issued on April 26, 2012. The term “Exchange Notes” refers to Ameristar’s 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 offered by this prospectus, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act. The term “2011 Senior Notes” refers to the $800,000,000 outstanding principal amount of our 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 initially issued on April 14, 2011 in a private placement transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act and subsequently exchanged for substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act. The term “2012 Senior Notes” refers to both the Outstanding Notes and the Exchange Notes. The term “Notes” refers collectively to the 2011 Senior Notes and the 2012 Senior Notes. The term “Indenture” refers to the indenture that governs the Notes.

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Summary of the Terms of the Exchange Notes

The terms of the Exchange Notes are substantially identical to the Outstanding Notes, except that the transfer restrictions, registration rights and Additional Interest provisions applicable to the Outstanding Notes will not apply to the Exchange Notes. The following is a summary of the principal terms of the Exchange Notes. A more detailed description is contained in the section “Description of the Notes” in this prospectus.

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Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data

We have derived the following summary historical financial data for each of the four years ended December 31, 2011 from our audited consolidated financial statements and the summary historical financial data for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.  The summary data below should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data” included in this prospectus as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical financial statements and notes thereto incorporated into this prospectus by reference to our publicly available documents.

Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements were prepared on a basis consistent with our audited consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of those statements. Our results for the six months ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2012.

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RISK FACTORS

The Exchange Notes involve substantial risks similar to those associated with the Outstanding Notes. To understand these risks you should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below in addition to the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Risks Related to the Exchange Notes

We cannot assure you that an active trading market for the Exchange Notes will exist if you desire to sell the Exchange Notes.

There is no existing public market for the Outstanding Notes or the Exchange Notes. We do not intend to have the Exchange Notes listed on a national securities exchange or to arrange for quotation on any automated dealer quotation systems. Therefore, we cannot assure you as to the development or liquidity of any trading market for the Exchange Notes. The liquidity of any market for the Exchange Notes will depend on a number of factors, including:

·                the number of holders of Exchange Notes;

·                our operating performance and financial condition;

·                the market for similar securities;

·                the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the Exchange Notes; and

·                prevailing interest rates.

Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the Exchange Notes. The market, if any, for the Exchange Notes may face similar disruptions that may adversely affect the prices at which you could sell your Exchange Notes. Therefore, you may not be able to sell your Exchange Notes at a particular time and the price that you receive when you sell may not be favorable.

Risks Related to the Notes

We have substantial debt and may incur additional debt; leverage may impair our financial condition and restrict our operations.

We currently have a substantial amount of debt.  As of June 30, 2012, our total consolidated debt, excluding discount, was $1.92 billion.  For accounting purposes, our total liabilities exceed our total assets.

Subject to specified limitations, the Indenture permits us to incur substantial additional debt.  In addition, as of June 30, 2012, our Senior Credit Facility permits us to borrow up to an additional approximately $496.0 million under the revolving loan facility (after giving effect to outstanding letters of credit).

Our substantial debt and any additional debt we may incur could have important consequences for the holders of the Notes, including:

·                                          increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

·                                          limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund working capital requirements, capital expenditures, investments and acquisitions;

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·                                          requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations for the payment of interest on our debt and reducing our ability to use our cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends, stock repurchases and general corporate requirements;

·                                          limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

·                                          exposing our cash flows to changes in floating rates of interest such that an increase in floating rates would negatively impact our cash flows; and

·                                          placing us at a competitive disadvantage to less leveraged competitors.

The occurrence of any one of these events could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects and ability to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness.

Servicing our debt will require a significant amount of cash, and our ability to generate sufficient cash depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control.

Our ability to make payments on and refinance our debt and to fund capital expenditures depends on our ability to generate cash flow in the future.  To some extent, our ability to generate future cash flow is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors and other factors that are beyond our control.  In addition, the ability to borrow funds under our Senior Credit Facility in the future will depend on our satisfying the financial covenants in the agreement governing such facility.  We cannot assure that our business will generate cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our Senior Credit Facility in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our debt or to fund other liquidity needs.  Any inability to generate sufficient cash flow or refinance our debt on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

Covenant restrictions under our Senior Credit Facility and the Indenture governing the Notes may limit our ability to operate our business.

The agreement governing our Senior Credit Facility and the Indenture governing the Notes contain covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things, borrow money, pay dividends, make capital expenditures and effect a consolidation, merger or disposal of all or substantially all of our assets.  Although the covenants in our Senior Credit Facility and the Indenture are subject to various exceptions, we cannot assure you that these covenants will not adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage in other activities that may be in our best interest.  In addition, our long-term debt requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial condition tests, which may require that we take action to reduce our debt or to act in a manner contrary to our business objectives.  A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our Senior Credit Facility and the Indenture.  If an event of default under our Senior Credit Facility occurs, the lenders thereunder could elect to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable.  In addition, our Senior Credit Facility is secured by first priority security interests on substantially all of our real and personal property, including the capital stock of our subsidiaries.  If we are unable to pay all amounts declared due and payable in the event of a default, the lenders could foreclose on these assets.

The Notes and the guarantees are unsecured and effectively subordinated to our and the guarantors’ existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

The Notes and the guarantees are our senior unsecured obligations ranking effectively junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness and that of each Guarantor, including indebtedness under our Senior Credit Facility to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. Additionally, the Indenture permits us to incur additional secured indebtedness in the future. In the event that we or a Guarantor is declared bankrupt, becomes insolvent or is liquidated or reorganized, holders of our and our Guarantor’s secured indebtedness will be entitled to be paid in full from our assets or the assets of the Guarantor, as applicable, securing

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such indebtedness before any payment may be made with respect to the Notes or the affected guarantees. Holders of the Notes will participate ratably with all holders of our senior unsecured indebtedness, and potentially with all of our other general creditors, based upon the respective amounts owed to each holder or creditor, in our remaining assets. As of June 30, 2012, the Notes and the guarantees were effectively subordinated to approximately $882.3 million of senior secured indebtedness.

You will not have any claim as a creditor against the subsidiaries that are not Guarantors of the Notes, and the indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, whether secured or unsecured, of non-Guarantor subsidiaries will be effectively senior to any claim you may have against these non-Guarantor subsidiaries relating to the Notes. Our non-Guarantor subsidiaries generated none of our revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and had none of our assets or liabilities at June 30, 2012. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up of our non-Guarantor subsidiaries, holders of their indebtedness and their trade creditors will generally be entitled to payment of their claims from the assets of those non-Guarantor subsidiaries before any assets are made available for distribution to us. See “Description of the Notes — Brief Description of the Notes and the Guarantees” for additional information.

We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to finance the change of control offer required by the Indenture.

Upon certain kinds of changes of control, we are required to offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. Any such change of control would also constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facility. Therefore, upon the occurrence of such a change of control, the lenders under the Senior Credit Facility would have the right to accelerate their loans and we would be required to prepay all outstanding obligations under the Senior Credit Facility before the Notes could be repurchased. We cannot assure you that we will have available funds sufficient to pay the change of control purchase price for any or all of the Notes that might be delivered by holders of the Notes seeking to accept the change of control offer. See “Description of the Notes — Mandatory Redemption — Repurchase at the Option of Holders — Change of Control” and “Description of Other Indebtedness” for additional information.

Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void the guarantees and require noteholders to return payments received from us or the Guarantors.

Our creditors or the creditors of the Guarantors could challenge the guarantees as fraudulent conveyances or on other grounds. Under the federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, the delivery of the guarantees could be found to be a fraudulent transfer and declared void if a court determined that the Guarantor, at the time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by its guarantee:

·                                          delivered the guarantee with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud its existing or future creditors; or

·                                          received less than reasonably equivalent value or did not receive fair consideration for the delivery of the guarantee and any of the following three conditions applies:

·                                          the Guarantor was insolvent or rendered insolvent at the time it delivered the guarantee;

·                                          the Guarantor was engaged in a business or transaction for which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or

·                                          the Guarantor intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature.

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If a court declares the guarantees to be void, or if the guarantees must be limited or voided in accordance with their terms, any claim you may make against us for amounts payable on the Notes would, with respect to amounts claimed against the Guarantors, be subordinated to the debt of our Guarantors, including trade payables. Any payment made by a Guarantor pursuant to its guarantee could also be required to be returned to it, or to a fund for the benefit of its creditors. The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, however, a Guarantor would be considered insolvent if:

·                                          the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the fair saleable value of all of its assets;

·                                          the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or

·                                          it could not pay its debts as they become due.

On the basis of historical financial information, recent operating history and other factors, we believe that each Guarantor, after giving effect to its guarantee of the Notes, was not insolvent, did not have unreasonably small capital for the business in which it is engaged and had not incurred debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature. We cannot assure you, however, as to what standard a court would apply in making these determinations or that a court would agree with our conclusions in this regard.

The obligations of each Guarantor under its guarantee are limited so as not to constitute a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. This may not be effective to protect the guarantee from being voided under fraudulent transfer law, or may eliminate the Guarantors’ obligations or reduce such obligations to an amount that effectively makes the guarantee worthless.

You may have difficulty selling any Outstanding Notes that you do not exchange.

If you do not exchange your Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes in the exchange offer, you will continue to hold Outstanding Notes subject to restrictions on their transfer. Those transfer restrictions are described in the Indenture governing the Outstanding Notes and in the legend contained on the Outstanding Notes, and arose because we originally issued the Outstanding Notes under an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

In general, you may offer or sell your Outstanding Notes only if they are registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or if they are offered and sold under an exemption from those requirements. We do not currently intend to register the Outstanding Notes under the Securities Act or any state securities laws. If a substantial amount of the Outstanding Notes is exchanged for a like amount of the Exchange Notes issued in the exchange offer, the liquidity of your Outstanding Notes could be adversely affected. See “The Exchange Offer—Consequences of Failure to Exchange Outstanding Notes” for a discussion of additional consequences of failing to exchange your Outstanding Notes.

Your ability to transfer the Notes may be limited by the absence of an active trading market, and an active trading market may not develop for the Notes.

We do not intend to have the Notes listed on a national securities exchange or to arrange for quotation on any automated dealer quotation systems. The initial purchasers have advised us that they intend to make a market in the Notes, as permitted by applicable laws and regulations; however, the initial purchasers are not obligated to make a market in the Notes, and they may discontinue their market-making activities at any time without notice. Therefore, we cannot assure you as to the development or liquidity of any trading market for the Notes. The liquidity of any market for the Notes will depend on a number of factors, including:

·                                          the number of holders of Notes;

·                                          our operating performance and financial condition;

·                                          the market for similar securities;

·                                          the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the Notes; and

·                                          prevailing interest rates.

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Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the Notes. The market, if any, for the Notes may face similar disruptions that may adversely affect the prices at which you could sell your Notes. Therefore, you may not be able to sell your Notes at a particular time and the price that you receive when you sell may not be favorable.

We may require you to dispose of your Notes or redeem your Notes if required by applicable gaming regulations.

Gaming authorities in any jurisdiction to which we or any of our subsidiaries are or may become subject have the power to investigate any of our debt security holders, including holders of the Notes. These gaming authorities may, in their discretion, require a holder of any of our debt securities to file applications, be investigated and be found suitable to own our debt securities, and the costs of the investigation of such finding of suitability will be the responsibility of such holder. Any person who fails or refuses to apply for a finding of suitability or a license by the time it is ordered to do so by such gaming authorities may be found unsuitable. Under certain circumstances, we have the right, at our option, to cause a holder to dispose of its Notes or to redeem its Notes in order to comply with gaming laws to which we are subject. See “Description of the Notes — Redemption Based on Gaming Laws” for additional information.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our business is sensitive to reductions in discretionary consumer spending.

Our business has been and may continue to be adversely affected by weak economic conditions currently being experienced in the United States, as we are highly dependent on discretionary spending by our guests.  We are not able to predict the length or severity of the current economic climate.  Changes in discretionary consumer spending or consumer preferences brought about by factors such as increased or continuing high unemployment, continuing high energy and automobile fuel prices, perceived or actual deterioration in general economic conditions, the protracted disruption in the housing markets, the availability of credit, perceived or actual decline in disposable consumer income and wealth (including declines resulting from any increase in personal income tax rates) and changes in consumer confidence in the economy may continue to reduce customer demand for the leisure activities we offer and adversely affect our revenues and cash flow.

The gaming industry is very competitive and increased competition could have a material adverse effect on our future operations.

The gaming industry is very competitive and we face dynamic competitive pressures in each of our markets.  Several of our competitors are larger and have greater financial and other resources than we do.  We may choose or be required to take actions in response to competitors that may increase our marketing costs and other operating expenses.

Our operating properties are located in jurisdictions that restrict gaming to certain areas or are adjacent to states that prohibit or restrict gaming operations.  These restrictions and prohibitions provide substantial benefits to our business and our ability to attract and retain guests.  The legalization or expanded legalization or authorization of gaming within or near a market area of one of our properties could result in a significant increase in competition and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  Economic difficulties faced by state governments, as well as the increased acceptance of gaming as a leisure activity, could lead to intensified political pressure for the expansion of legalized gaming.

In 2007, the Kansas legislature enacted a law that authorizes up to four state-owned and operated freestanding casinos and three racetrack slot machine parlors developed and managed by third parties.  At that time, one casino and one racetrack location were authorized in Wyandotte County in the greater Kansas City market.  The owner of the potential racetrack slot machine parlor license surrendered its racing license and closed the facility due to concerns about the tax rate that would apply to its gaming operations, which was substantially higher than the tax rate in Missouri or applicable to Kansas freestanding casinos.  The future status of the racetrack license is uncertain;

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however, there have been discussions about reducing the tax rate in order to incentivize the installation of slot machines at the racetracks.  On February 3, 2012, a partnership that includes a major commercial casino operator opened the first phase of a large land-based casino and entertainment facility at the Kansas Speedway, approximately 24 miles from Ameristar Kansas City.  This facility has provided significant additional competition for the Kansas City market and adversely affected the financial performance of Ameristar Kansas City.

Our East Chicago property currently competes with eight other casino gaming facilities in the Chicagoland market in Indiana and Illinois and with one Native American casino in Michigan.  One of our property’s principal competitors is located in Hammond, Indiana, which is closer to and has significantly better access for customers who live in Chicago, Illinois and the Chicago suburbs that are the primary feeder markets for Ameristar East Chicago.  The Hammond facility opened a $485 million expansion in 2008 that has adversely affected our property’s business, particularly table games and poker, and we expect will continue to do so.

The tenth and final Illinois casino license was awarded to a developer for a property in Des Plaines, Illinois, located approximately 40 miles from Ameristar East Chicago. That facility opened in July 2011 and has resulted in increased competition for Ameristar East Chicago that has adversely affected its financial results. From time to time, the Illinois legislature has also considered other forms of gaming expansion in the state. In May 2012, the legislature passed Senate Bill 1849, which was sent to the governor for signature in June 2012. Senate Bill 1849 would have authorized a large-scale expansion of casino gaming, including increasing the maximum number of gaming positions at each existing Illinois casino from 1,200 to 1,600, allowing slot machines to be installed at pari-mutuel racetracks and legalizing five new casinos throughout the state, with one in the city of Chicago and one in suburban Cook County. Although the governor vetoed Senate Bill 1849 in August, he has publicly stated that he may sign a modified gaming expansion bill if one is passed in the 2013 legislative session. If a new bill is passed and signed into law, particularly one that includes the expansion of gaming in downtown Chicago or the south Chicago suburbs, the additional competition would materially adversely affect the financial performance of Ameristar East Chicago. The expansion of gaming in southern Illinois that would have been authorized by Senate Bill 1849 would also have had an adverse effect on Ameristar St. Charles.

Over the years, several attempts have been made in the Indiana legislature to allow one of the two adjacent riverboat casino licenses held by the same operator in Gary, Indiana, approximately five miles from Ameristar East Chicago, to be moved to a nearby land-based location.  None of the efforts has been successful, but it is possible such a measure will be introduced in the future. If a casino is allowed to relocate inland to a more accessible location, it could materially adversely affect the financial performance of Ameristar East Chicago.

In 2007, a competitor opened a new casino in downtown St. Louis, approximately 22 miles from Ameristar St. Charles, and in 2010 the same competitor opened an additional casino facility in southeastern St. Louis County, approximately 30 miles from Ameristar St. Charles.  The new facilities have resulted in significant additional competition for Ameristar St. Charles that has adversely impacted its business.  In September 2011, the competitor announced a planned expansion of the southeastern St. Louis County facility to include a 200-room hotel, an event center and a parking garage.  The expansion is slated for completion in late 2013. In addition, if legislation is enacted in Illinois to permit the operation of slot machines at racetracks, Ameristar St. Charles would face additional competition from the racetrack near East St. Louis, Illinois.

In recent years, several attempts have been made in the Colorado legislature to authorize video lottery terminals (“VLTs”) within the state. VLTs are very similar in appearance and performance to casino slot machines. If VLTs are authorized in Colorado, they would represent additional competition for Ameristar Black Hawk and could materially adversely affect the financial performance of the property.

The quality of competition may improve after changes in ownership.  The acquisition of a facility that is a significant competitor of Ameristar St. Charles was announced in May 2012.  The sales of two casinos in Vicksburg to two experienced operators were announced in October 2012. Recently, the operator of a casino in Reno, Nevada purchased one of Ameristar Black Hawk’s larger competitors in the market, which had been operating in bankruptcy. It is possible that any or all of these facilities will become more competitive under new ownership.

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Several attempts have been made in the Nebraska legislature to expand gaming in the state. None of those efforts has been successful. If casino gaming is authorized in the Omaha area, it could have a material adverse impact on Ameristar Council Bluffs’ business.

Native American gaming facilities in some instances operate under regulatory and financial requirements that are less stringent than those imposed on state-licensed casinos, which could provide them with a competitive advantage and lead to increased competition in our markets.  In December 2007, the National Indian Gaming Commission (the “NIGC”) approved the request of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska to have a five-acre parcel owned by the tribe in Carter Lake, Iowa, located approximately five miles from Ameristar Council Bluffs, approved for the operation of gaming.  In December 2008, in a lawsuit brought by the State of Nebraska and joined by the State of Iowa and the City of Council Bluffs, the federal district court reversed the NIGC’s decision.  The U.S. Department of the Interior appealed the district court ruling, and in October 2010 the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s decision and ordered the court to remand the matter to the NIGC for further consideration.  The Court of Appeals directed the NIGC to revisit the issue, taking into consideration, among other things, a 2003 agreement between the State of Iowa and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  That agreement stated that the five-acre parcel would be utilized for a health center and not for gaming purposes.  If the tribe is allowed to conduct gaming at this location, the additional competition would adversely affect our Council Bluffs business. The NIGC has yet to publicly render a decision on this matter.

The entry into our current or anticipated markets of additional competitors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, particularly if a competitor were to obtain a license to operate a gaming facility in a superior location.  Furthermore, increases in the popularity of, and competition from, Internet and other account wagering and gaming services, which allow customers to wager on a wide variety of sporting events and play Las Vegas-style casino games from home, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects. The law in this area has been rapidly evolving, and additional legislative developments may occur at the federal and state levels that would accelerate the proliferation of certain forms of Internet gaming in the United States.

If the jurisdictions in which we operate increase gaming taxes and fees, our results could be adversely affected.

State and local authorities raise a significant amount of revenue through taxes and fees on gaming activities.  From time to time, legislators and government officials have proposed changes in tax laws, or in the administration of such laws, affecting the gaming industry.  Periods of economic downturn and budget deficits, such as are currently being experienced in most states, may intensify such efforts to raise revenues through increases in gaming taxes.  If the jurisdictions in which we operate were to increase gaming taxes or fees, depending on the magnitude of the increase and any offsetting factors (such as the elimination of the buy-in limit in Missouri that became effective in 2008), our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Effective July 1, 2012, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission increased all gaming tax rate tiers to those in effect prior to July 1, 2011, which resulted in an increase in the top rate tier from 19% to the constitutional maximum of 20%.

We are subject to the risk of rising interest rates.

All of our outstanding debt under the Senior Credit Facility bears interest at variable rates.  As of June 30, 2012, we had approximately $882.3 million outstanding under our Senior Credit Facility.  If short-term interest rates rise from current levels, our interest cost would increase, which would adversely affect our net income and available cash.

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Our business is subject to restrictions and limitations imposed by gaming regulatory authorities that could adversely affect us.

The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities are subject to extensive state and local regulation.  The states of Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, Mississippi, Colorado, Nevada and Louisiana and the applicable local authorities require various licenses, findings of suitability, registrations, permits and approvals to be held by us and our subsidiaries.  The Missouri Gaming Commission, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, the Indiana Gaming Commission, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board may, among other things, limit, condition, suspend, revoke or not renew a license or approval to own the stock of any of our Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, Mississippi, Colorado, Nevada or Louisiana subsidiaries, respectively, for any cause deemed reasonable by such licensing authority.  Our gaming licenses in Missouri and Colorado must be renewed every two years, our gaming licenses in Iowa and Indiana must be renewed every year and our gaming license in Mississippi must be renewed every three years. We are required to satisfy a number of conditions under our Louisiana gaming license in order to open Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Lake Charles. If we violate gaming laws or regulations, substantial fines could be levied against us, our subsidiaries and the persons involved, and we could be forced to forfeit portions of our assets.  The suspension, revocation or non-renewal of any of our licenses or the levy on us of substantial fines or forfeiture of assets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

To date, we have obtained all governmental licenses, findings of suitability, registrations, permits and approvals necessary for the operation of our currently operating gaming activities.  However, gaming licenses and related approvals are deemed to be privileges under the laws of all the jurisdictions in which we operate.  We cannot assure you that our existing licenses, permits and approvals will be maintained or extended.  We also cannot assure you that any new licenses, permits and approvals that may be required in the future will be granted to us.

We expect to be subject to rigorous regulatory standards, which may or may not be similar to the regulation we are currently subject to, in Massachusetts and each other jurisdiction in which we may seek to conduct gaming operations in the future.  There can be no assurance that statutes or regulations adopted or fees and taxes imposed by other jurisdictions will permit us to operate profitably.

Our business may be adversely affected by legislation prohibiting tobacco smoking.

Legislation in various forms to ban indoor tobacco smoking in public places has recently been enacted or introduced in many states and local jurisdictions, including several of the jurisdictions in which we operate.  In 2008, a Colorado smoking ban was extended to include casino floors.  We believe this ban has significantly negatively impacted business volumes in all Colorado gaming markets.  In 2008, voters in the City of Kansas City approved a ballot measure, which was subsequently modified by the City Council, that prohibits smoking in most indoor public places within the City, including restaurants, but which contains an exemption for casino floors and 20% of all hotel rooms.  One of Ameristar Kansas City’s competitors is not subject to a smoking ban in any form, which we believe has had some negative impact on our business.  Also in 2008, a statewide indoor smoking ban went into effect in the State of Iowa.  The law includes an exemption for casino floors and 20% of all hotel rooms.  From time to time, bills have been introduced in the Iowa legislature that would eliminate the casino floor exemption.  Nevada has a statewide indoor smoking ban, with exemptions for the gaming areas of casinos and bars where prepared food is not served.  Effective July 1, 2012, a statewide indoor smoking ban went into effect in Indiana, subject to an exemption for any areas restricted to persons age 18 or older, including the casino floor of Ameristar East Chicago.  Similar bills have been introduced from time to time in the Missouri General Assembly.  In August 2012, the St. Charles County Council adopted an ordinance that would have placed a public referendum on the November 2012 ballot for a comprehensive county-wide indoor smoking ban and a separate public referendum providing for certain exemptions to the ban, such as for the floor of Ameristar St. Charles.  In September 2012, the County director of elections refused to place either referendum on the ballot due to procedural and other defects in the ordinance, and on September 25, 2012 the Circuit Court of St. Charles County refused to overturn the decision of the director of elections.  The St. Charles County Council may attempt to reintroduce such a ban or a similar one in the future.  If additional restrictions on smoking are enacted in jurisdictions in which we operate, particularly if such restrictions are applicable to casino floors, or existing exemptions for casino floors are removed through future legislation, our business could be materially adversely affected.