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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 S+d5c7QsAaEy3lHihELyA6Wk0Mn4Lw65p6YvcVlHBgKiCTy/GI6d7xQJAkm8of7+
 RnAw4ZJpTa+eTU0XJ8iOXw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-09-001450.txt : 20090121
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-001450.hdr.sgml : 20090121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090121150424
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-001450
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090112
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090121
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090121

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Rollo Heather A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001367395

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22494
		FILM NUMBER:		09536580

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		702-263-2583

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2134 HANDEL AVE
		CITY:			HENDERSON
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89052

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERISTAR CASINOS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000912145
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990]
		IRS NUMBER:				880304799
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3773 HOWARD HUGHES PKWY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 490 SOUTH
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89169
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7025677000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3773 HOWARD HUGHES PKWY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 490 SOUTH
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89169
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000912145</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERISTAR CASINOS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ASCA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001367395</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Rollo Heather A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3773 HOWARD HUGHES PKWY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 490S</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAS VEGAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NV</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>89169</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Chief Accounting Officer</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>No securities are beneficially owned.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Heather A. Rollo</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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