Ameristar Will No Longer Expand Their Kansas City Casino

Ameristar Casinos Inc. had big plans for their casino in Kansas City. They were prepared to expand and sink $100 million into the project. They have decided against following through with the expansion.

It appears that there could be casinos coming to Sugar Creek. That would make for some interesting competition between Ameristar and whatever new casinos are awarded licenses in Sugar Creek.

The company insists that in the future they still could go ahead with the casino expansion, but right now they felt was just not the time.

Their original plans were to build a convention center, a pool, a spa, and a second hotel tower. The news on the expansion in Sugar Creek has made the company put those plans on hold for now.

"We think the Kansas City market is a terrific market, and we're still committed to it. It doesn't mean in the future we won't consider expansion in the Kansas City market," said Karen Lynn, spokeswoman for Ameristar.

One issue that will have to be worked out is a $4.5 million impairment charge that the company took out in the fourth quarter. It was for costs that had to do with the casino expansion planning.

February 23, 2008
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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