8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): July 24, 2006

Ameristar Casinos, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada	000-22494	880304799
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3773 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 490S, Las Vegas, Nevada	89169
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (702) 567-7000

3773 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 490S
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Former name or former address, if changed since last report

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Item 8.01. Other Events.
	Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT 99.1

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On July 24, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Registrant approved the repurchase of up to 2.8 million shares of the Registrant’s common stock, representing approximately 5% of its issued and outstanding common stock, in a stock repurchase program. The shares may be repurchased from time to time during the three-year period ending July 24, 2009 in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Registrant’s discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors. A copy of the press release issued by the Registrant on July 26, 2006 announcing the stock repurchase program is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)   Exhibits.

Exhibit	Description
99.1	Press release of the Registrant dated July 26, 2006.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	Ameristar Casinos, Inc.
July 27, 2006	By:	/s/ Peter C. Walsh
		Name:	Peter C. Walsh
		Title:	Senior Vice President and General Counsel

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit	Description
99.1	Press release of the Registrant dated July 26, 2006.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

AMERISTAR CASINOS ANNOUNCES STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

CONTACT:

Tom Steinbauer
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Ameristar Casinos, Inc.
(702) 567-7000

Las Vegas, Nevada, July 26, 2006 - Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: ASCA) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the repurchase of up to 2.8 million shares of the Company’s common stock, representing approximately 5% of its outstanding common stock, in a stock repurchase program. The shares may be repurchased from time to time over the next three years in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors.

“We believe that our stock at its current price level represents an attractive investment for the Company,” said Craig H. Neilsen, Chairman and CEO. “This program will allow us to opportunistically return capital to our shareholders in a manner we anticipate will have a positive effect on our earnings per share.”

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking information that generally can be identified by the context of the statement or the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “is confident that” or words of similar meaning, with reference to Ameristar or our management. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives, strategies, financial results or position, operational expectations or goals are forward-looking statements. It

is possible that our expectations may not be met due to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, and we therefore cannot give any assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. For a discussion of relevant factors, risks and uncertainties that could materially affect our future results, attention is directed to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

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 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 in six markets: 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).

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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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