 |
|
|
|
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 a leading market share position in each of the markets in which it operates. Founded in 1954 in Jackpot, Nevada, Ameristar has been a public company since November 1993. The company has a portfolio of seven casinos: Ameristar St. Charles (greater St. Louis); Ameristar Kansas City; Ameristar Council Bluffs (Omaha, Nebraska and southwestern Iowa); Ameristar Vicksburg (Jackson, Mississippi and Monroe, Louisiana); Ameristar Black Hawk (Denver metropolitan area); and Cactus Petes and the Horseshu in Jackpot, Nevada (Idaho and the Pacific Northwest).
|
 |
|
1954
The foundation for Cactus Petes' future success began when "Cactus Pete" Piersanti moved his slot operation from Idaho to Nevada.
Don French moved his slot facility from Idaho to the small, unnamed Nevada town that later became Jackpot. French called his casino The Horseshu Club.
|
|
|
1956
The Cactus Petes Desert Lodge was incorporated as Cactus Petes, Inc. in Jackpot, Nev., by Piersanti, A.L. "Bud" Gurley and Dale Wildman.
|
|
|
1958
Cactus Petes hired Neilsen & Miller Construction of Twin Falls, Idaho to build the Desert Inn, a 15-room, single-row motel.
|
|
|
1964
The management of Cactus Petes assumed leadership of The
Horseshu.
|
|
|
1967
When one of the original partners, A.L. "Bud" Gurley
died, the corporation's ownership was restructured, bringing
in three new shareholders. The new partners were Ray Neilsen
from Neilsen & Miller Construction, Al Huber of Elko,
Nevada and George Detweiler of Twin Falls, Idaho.
|
|
|
1971
Ray Neilsen died and his wife Gwen took control of his shares.
Neilsen's son, Craig, assumed a leading role in the day-to-day
operation of Cactus Petes.
|
|
|
1984
Neilsen became president of Cactus Petes, Inc.
|
|
|
1987
Craig Neilsen assumed sole ownership of the corporation.
|
|
|
1991
Cactus Petes completed a $22 million hotel and casino
expansion and the property became one of the largest gaming
facilities in northeast Nevada. Construction work included
enlarging the casino, adding a hotel tower, restaurants and an
Olympic-sized swimming pool.
|
|
|
1992
As a direct result of the recently completed improvement
project, Cactus Petes was awarded the prestigious AAA Four
Diamond designation.
The future site of Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg, then
known as Delta Pointe, was secured.
|
|
|
1993
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. was founded as the parent company of
Cactus Petes and Ameristar Casino Vicksburg. Stock began
trading on the NASDAQ National Market on November 9.
|
|
|
1994
In February, Ameristar Casino Vicksburg opened; it was the
largest casino in that city and retains that distinction
today.
|
|
|
1995
The company's fourth property, Ameristar Casino Council
Bluffs, was licensed and construction began.
|
|
|
1996
In January, Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs opened; to this
day it remains the largest riverboat in the state.
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. relocated company headquarters from
Twin Falls, Idaho, to its current location in Las Vegas,
Nevada.
Ameristar Casinos entered into an agreement to acquire The
Reserve Hotel Casino, which was under construction in
Henderson, Nevada.
|
|
|
1998
The Reserve Hotel Casino opened as Ameristar Casinos' fifth
property. It was a fully themed off-Strip property.
For the first time, Ameristar revenues top $200 million.
|
|
|
1999
Ameristar Council Bluffs was awarded the prestigious AAA Four
Diamond designation. It is the only riverboat facility in the
state to hold this honor.
Gwen Neilsen passed away. She played a key role in the
transition of Ameristar Casinos from a private to a publicly
traded company and was instrumental in the organization's
strategic expansion.
|
|
|
2000
Ameristar purchased properties in Kansas City and St. Charles,
Missouri, from Station Casinos, and agreed to sell The Reserve
to Station.
|
|
|
2001
The Reserve Hotel Casino was sold to Station Casinos.
Ameristar Casino Vicksburg completed a $10 million renovation
project.
Ameristar Casino St. Charles began construction of a new
casino-entertainment facility.
Ameristar Casino Kansas City completed construction on its
twin floating casinos, The River King and Queen, which join
into a single 130,000 square-foot gaming facility.
Ameristar revenues more than double, to $550 million dollars.
Ameristar was ranked 14 out of Nevada's top 25 publicly traded
companies by the Nevada Business Journal.
|
|
|
2002
The all-new $360 million Ameristar Casino
St. Charles opened, featuring 130,000 square feet of gaming
space along with seven distinctively themed restaurants and
entertainment venues. Ameristar St. Charles was the first
casino in Missouri to offer "coinless gaming"
technology.
Craig Neilsen was recognized as "Best Performing
CEO" by the American Gaming Association.
Ameristar Casino Kansas City completed construction on a new five-story parking garage.
|
|
2003
Following a $64 million renovation project to the casino floor and restaurants, the all-new Ameristar Kansas City was officially unveiled in Sept. 2003. This premier gaming property provides 140,000 square feet of gaming space and is one of the 10 largest casinos in the U.S. The property features 11 diverse dining venues including the $6 million Amerisports Brew Pub, which boasts an unparalleled state-of-the-art audio-visual system.
Ameristar Casino Vicksburg opens its enhanced and rebranded Heritage Buffet restaurant after a $7 million renovation. |
|
|
2004 Ameristar declares its first cash dividend.
Ameristar purchases its seventh property - Mountain High Casino in Black Hawk, Colorado from Windsor Woodmont Black Hawk Resort Corp.
|
|
|
2005
Ameristar declares a 2-for-1 split of the company's common stock.
Ameristar supports Hurricane Katrina relief efforts with a $250,000 donation to the AGA Katrina Relief Fund, and another $400,000 donation through the Workplace Giving Campaign to support Mississippi Gulf Coast recovery.
Ameristar introduces the Ameristar National Charity Golf Classic, presented by Ameristar and the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation. In its first year, the event raised $777,000, to benefit The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.
Craig Neilsen is inducted into the American Gaming Association Gaming Hall of Fame.
The Ameristar Cares Workplace Giving Campaign raises $2.35 million to benefit hundreds of non-profit organizations in Ameristar communities.
|
|
|
2006
Ameristar celebrates the grand re-opening and rebranding of Ameristar Black Hawk, with a completely renovated and expanded gaming floor, as well as rebranded restaurants. Construction begins on a new luxury 536-room hotel and spa, to be the tallest structure between Denver and Salt Lake City.
Ameristar St. Charles opens its new state-of-the-art conference center, featuring two ballrooms, five meeting rooms and an executive board room. Construction is underway on the property's 400-room all-suite four diamond quality hotel.
John M. Boushy joins Ameristar as President on August 29, 2006.
Craig Neilsen is honored as Business Leader of the Year by The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis at the 21st annual Buoniconti Fund Great Sports Legends event.
Craig H. Neilsen, founder of Ameristar Casinos, passes away on November 19, 2006.
Ray Neilsen and Gordy Kanofsky are appointed as Ameristar Co-Chairmen of the Board; John Boushy is named President and Chief Executive Officer.
|
