ASCA A SPAC I Acquisition Corporation

Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASCA) today announced that Pete Savage, a gaming industry professional with more than 25 years of experience, has joined Ameristar Casino Hotel in East Chicago as the new Senior Vice President and General Manager.

Savage has served as President and General Manager of American Racing and Entertainment's two New York casinos for the past two years. Prior to joining American Racing, he served as General Manager of the Riviera Black Hawk Casino in Black Hawk, Colorado, and held various leadership positions at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pete previously worked as a Senior Accountant and CPA.

"As a senior manager with experience in both gaming and hotel operations, as well as finance, Pete is a solid addition to Ameristar's leadership team. He is also a great fit for Ameristar's culture of collaboration and team building," said Senior Vice President of Operations Michelle Shriver. "He is a natural leader whose personal values closely mirror our company values, and I am confident that he will further complement the efforts of the strong team we have in East Chicago."

Savage graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with Master of Business Administration and Bachelors of Science in Business Administration -- Accounting degrees. He also holds a Certified Public Accountant's license from Nevada.

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 positions in the markets in which it operates. Founded in 1954 in Jackpot, Nev., Ameristar has been a public company since November 1993. The Company has a portfolio of eight casinos in seven markets: Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles (greater St. Louis); Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago (Chicagoland area); Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City; Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs (Omaha, Neb., and southwestern Iowa); Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg (Jackson, Miss., and Monroe, La.); Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk (Denver metropolitan area); and Cactus Petes Resort Casino and The Horseshu Hotel and Casino in Jackpot, Nev. (Idaho and the Pacific Northwest).

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

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CONTACT: Reggie Dotson Public Relations Manager Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (219) 378-3277 Email Contact