Ameristar Casino

[icejammer]

Don't think they'll actually be expanding the casino, but I think they are certainly wanting to have more "destinations" to compete with the Horseshoe Casino now that they are getting further along in their expansion and with Bass Pro set to open in a little over a month.

Ameristar buys property

Certainly, a look at one of the City's Master Plans for the area would bear out the possibility of something besides casino or hotel for the area....

North and South Riverfront Master Plan

[Brad]

Ameristar Casino ready to expand

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... id=2350453

COUNCIL BLUFFS - After a year of running second to the Horseshoe Casino, the rival Ameristar Casino is in the final stages of planning an expansion of its Council Bluffs operation.

The bill would do away with the requirement that riverboat operators have water under their gambling floors. The so-called "water feature" doesn't have to be natural, but casinos still don't like the extra hassle of building a moat or shallow pond to qualify.

The Iowa Senate passed the bill on a 46-3 vote, and no opposition has emerged in the House. A final vote there is likely next month.

[icejammer]

Ameristar Casino considers expansion

Christie Scott, public relations manager for Ameristar, released a statement Tuesday addressing future expansion.

"We have reported that we are considering several options to expand the gaming space, restaurants and other amenities at our Council Bluffs property," she said in the release. " At this point, no formal decision has been made, and we are still evaluating our options."

Scott's release went on to state that no formal announcement has been made about expansion plans, and Ameristar has not released information regarding timing or schedules.

"In addition, the land-based gaming bill is just one factor we are considering related to our expansion plans," she said in the release.

[Brad]

Ameristar sees bill get OK in Iowa

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... id=2368897

COUNCIL BLUFFS - The odds keep getting better that Ameristar will build a land-based casino in Council Bluffs.

A bill that does away with water-feature requirements for riverboat casino operators easily passed the Iowa House Wednesday by a vote of 71-26. The bill breezed through the Senate last month and now goes to the desk of Iowa Gov. Chet Culver.

[Brad]

Riverboats make move to dry land in Iowa

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... id=2392879

Ameristar will make a presentation June 7 to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission about a "property expansion and renovation project." Commission administrator Jack Ketterer said the commission could vote on the plans at that meeting.

[Stargazer]

I'm still waiting for these people to try 'sneaking' a casino into Carter Lake... what a coup that would be for Iowa.

I'd love to see Pat Loontjer's reaction.

[the1wags]

Yeah because right now the Missouri magically keeps all Nebraskans safe from the horrors of gambling.

[Big E]

I'm still waiting for these people to try 'sneaking' a casino into Carter Lake... what a coup that would be for Iowa.

Actually, that might be more of a coup for Omaha.

Instantly, 90%* of the casino traffic would be on the appropriate side of the river and moments from downtown Omaha restaurants, shops, and hotels.

-Big E

* = number pulled from thin air

[Stargazer]

Have you ever taken a casual survey of cars in the casino parking lots?  More than 2/3rds of them are Douglas/Sarpy/Lancaster plates.  How many of these people are staying at a hotel? (aside perhaps from a few checking in to the casino hotel after they had too much at the steak buffet?).  And I'm unaware of any restaurants/shops on the Iowa side which we'd be pulling business from.  These casinos aren't tourist destinations... they're merely an evenings entertainment for Omahans.

The coup would come from making a casino that much more accessible to Omahans (within walking distance no less of some of Omaha's most financially vulnerable).

[the1wags]

Jeez you two just need to do some UFC style throwdown already.

They should just blow up all the casinos because gambling is stupid.

[Big E]

Jeez you two just need to do some UFC style throwdown already.

How bout it, Jeff?     Dare to step into the hexagon?

I think our dry/sarcastic sense of humor comes off much worse than either of us actually intend.  We're both grown up enough to realize we can disagree without resorting to the nanner-nanner level of debate (most of the time).

-Big E

[DTO Luv]

Now that I'm able to go into the casinos and have been, I say keep them in Iowa. I don't think I've been to a more souless, disgusting place. And this was at Horseshoe which is supposed to be the really nice one.

[Brad]

$3 Craps at Harra's

Are you guys saying you don't ant to go roll the bones this weekend?

[Big E]

Now that I'm able to go into the casinos and have been, I say keep them in Iowa. I don't think I've been to a more souless, disgusting place. And this was at Horseshoe which is supposed to be the really nice one.

Describing a casino as "the really nice one" is a lot like describing a crack babe as "the really pretty one".

If there are enough poker and/or blackjack players on here, I wouldn't be opposed to a "social" [wink wink] [/nudge nudge] casino night...  just a thought...

-Big E

edit: I have to say, substituting "babe" for \/\/|-|()R3 is hilarious.

[icejammer]

And back on topic....

Ameristar expansion plans appear likely

Jack Ketterer, administrator of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, said no plans have been submitted, but his office has received a letter asking to be on the June 7 agenda to make a presentation. The letter is "a little bit vague," according to Ketterer, but indicates a possible renovation or expansion is in the works. A vote could come that day.

"They've looked at it for an excruciatingly long time," Ketterer said. "I'm assuming they'd do something that would incorporate the boat."  . . .

Ketterer said it's his feeling that Ameristar has been making plans since Harrah's broke ground for the Horseshoe Casino, its top competitor that now has been open for more than a year.

"I know their desire to be the best in the marketplace for a long time," he said. "I'm anxious to see what they're going to present on June 7 myself."

Not too much doubt how this vote will go when the administrator publicly states he's anxious to see what will be presented...

[Adam]

This in on the World Herald site...

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... id=2394475

but the des moines register has a larger story, in addition to a nice rendering.  The picture really helps to give an idea of what this project is going to look like...

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/p ... 01025/1001

[icejammer]

Ameristar Casino's planned expansion will include a fixed platform around the existing riverboat and a doubling of the casino's gambling space, the company said today.

Ameristar released details of a $100 million expansion and renovation project for its Council Bluffs property.

Ameristar will add 38,500 square feet of gambling space, 600 additional slot machines and 20 more table games along with a poker room.

"The expanded portion of the casino floor will be located on a single level, creating better access and convenience for guests," the company said in a statement.

Ameristar intends to build a coffer dam around the riverboat to control and stabilize water levels, allowing it to attach to the land-based portion. The platform will surround the riverboat.

Ameristar's riverboat has 38,500 square feet of gambling room now - meaning the company plans to double the size of its gambling space. The expanded casino will resemble a riverboat docked at a historic building.

[icejammer]

Ameristar announces $100 million project

Ameristar Casinos, Inc. announced a proposed approximately $100 million expansion project at the Company's Council Bluffs property. The company will make a formal presentation on the project to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission at the IRGC's June 7 meeting.

The expansion will add a total of 60,000 square feet to the existing facility, and will double the current casino floor square footage by incorporating an additional 38,500 square feet of new gaming space with approximately 600 new slot machines and 20 additional table games, including a poker room. The expanded portion of the casino floor will be located on a single level, creating better access and convenience for guests. In addition, the expansion will result in a more spacious and comfortable experience for guests, since the company intends to double the casino square footage, but not the number of machines or table games.

The expansion also will feature an elaborate central bar area and two additional bars, a deli restaurant, a new 1,000-space parking garage and an upscale Star Club VIP lounge. Access to the casino will be improved with an additional garage entrance, an enhanced connector from the existing garage and better access from the existing streetscape.

[icejammer]

That didn't take long, they couldn't have got much more than introductions done!

Ameristar gets go ahead for $100 million expansion, renovation project

[icejammer]

Gaming commission approves expansion

After months if not years of planning, Ameristar Casino's $100 million Council Bluffs expansion proposal was quickly approved by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission at Thursday's meeting in Johnston.

The commission's 4-0 vote in favor of the expansion plan, with one member absent, came within an hour of the meeting's 8:30 a.m. start. . .

. . . the expansion will add 60,000 square feet to the existing facility and double the current casino floor square footage by incorporating an additional 38,500 square feet of new gaming space for a 77,000-square-foot total. It will use a fixed platform to link the Ameristar Two riverboat to a new land-based gaming area.

The expansion will give Ameristar approximately 600 new slot machines and 20 additional table games, including a poker room, for a total of more than 2,200 slots and 50 table games.

Horseshoe Casino, the result of an $85 million construction and renovation project at the old Bluffs Run Casino, has 1,863 slot machines and 62 table games. . .

[Brad]

I TALKED TO SOMEONE FROM THE CASINO LAST NIGHT!  THIS HEADLINE IS MISLEADING:

Casino says smoking ban could derail expansion

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... d=10289048

The person I talked to at Ameristar said they took this statement

Ameristar spokeswoman Christie Scott said Thursday that the company is considering various expansion options. A smoking ban, the economy and competition from other casinos are all factors that could ultimately affect the expansion, she said.

and turned it in to this statement:

Representatives of the Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs say a ban on smoking in casinos could help derail a $100 million project that would nearly double the casino's floor space.

My Source said that they are still going to expand.  They are still in the $100 million range, but they are looking at "alternatives" to attract people if there is a smoking ban.

[Omababe]

Whatever it is, there is obviously a hold-up with the expansion.

As a semi-regular at the Ameristar, I've been kinda watching for any more announcements and more importantly any action as far as actual construction, but none has happened, and the employees that I talked to didn't seem to know any more than we did.

I don't think any proposed smoking ban will be the deciding factor here. I really think the general state of the economy will be more significant and most likely to be the factor that delays things even more.

As far as competition, yes, the Horseshoe has a large and nice place, and I'm sure it's drawing some business away from Ameristar, but if you've been to any of the three on a Friday or Saturday night lately, all of them do a good business.

Now if the citizens of Our Fair State, as seen on American Idol as being famous for corn and cows, ever stop the cross-border hemorrhage of $$$ and allow real gaming here on this side of the moat, the competition may indeed become more significant.

I still have a feeling that when the smoke clears (pun intended) that the casinos will find an exemption to the smoking ban. They have the $$$ and the resources to fight it, where the bar owners, individually or collectively, don't.

(Oh, in case anybody cares, I don't, never have, but I try not to be a total b*tch about it!)

[Brad]

Pinnacle Entertainment says it’s buying Ameristar Casinos

http://www.omaha.com/article/20121221/M ... ar-casinos

In a deal that would more than double its size, Pinnacle Entertainment said Friday that it will buy rival Ameristar Casinos for about $869 million, plus take on $1.9 billion of its debt.