Craig Neilsen’s parents owned a one-third mostly passive interest in Cactus Petes and The Horseshu, two small roadside casinos in Jackpot, Nevada, serving the southern Idaho market. Following his 1985 injury, Craig set his mind to redevelop them into a regional casino resort complex to draw in customers for longer stays and to expand their market. Facing opposition from the two other shareholders, Craig bought them out and proceeded to realize his vision. He expanded the casino floors and built luxury hotel rooms, several new restaurants and a ballroom for live entertainment. His plan was a financial success, and Cactus Petes earned a Four Diamond Award from the AAA, matching the ranking of the top properties on the Las Vegas Strip.
With riverboat and dockside gaming beginning to grow in states beyond Nevada and New Jersey, Craig identified a steep site on the bank of the Mississippi River in Vicksburg, Mississippi that many others had considered but passed on due to the engineering and geological challenges it posed for the construction of a casino. Confident that it was the superior location in the market, Craig assembled a team to overcome the development risks and proceeded with construction. Prior to opening the Vicksburg casino in early 1994, Craig combined it with the Jackpot properties to found Ameristar Casinos, Inc., which went public in November 1993. Craig maintained majority ownership of the company and served as CEO and Chairman of the Board until his death.
In addition to its location, Ameristar Vicksburg benefitted from the introduction of several innovations in riverboat gaming crafted by Craig, a new entrant to the industry. Among these were the use of two barges joined side-by-side to create a spacious, well-proportioned casino floor and the use of escalators to connect the floors of the casino. Ameristar Vicksburg quickly became the market leader in Vicksburg.
- Charles Get The Feeling Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles offers an exceptional gaming and entertainment experience in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The property features a 130,000-square-foot casino; AAA Four Diamond full-service luxury suite hotel with 400 well-appointed rooms, an indoor-outdoor pool, seven dining venues; 12 bars, an entertainment venue, a full.
- Ameristar Black Hawk Casino luxury hotel and resort features views of the Rockies and outstanding gaming, dining, & entertainment options in the Denver area.
In 1996, Ameristar entered the greater Omaha market in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with another Four Diamond Ameristar property having the look and feel of a turn-of-the-century Midwestern town. Shortly thereafter, Ameristar acquired a casino hotel under construction in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, Nevada. Craig modified the design scope and plans of the property for the intensely competitive Las Vegas locals market, and The Reserve opened in 1998. Craig also relocated Ameristar’s headquarters from Twin Falls, Idaho to Las Vegas while building The Reserve to be closer to industry suppliers and to better attract top quality management.
![Ameristar Casino Ameristar Casino](/uploads/1/3/5/9/135995781/765567084.jpg)
Ameristar Council Bluffs is committed to creating magical and memorable moments for every guest, and that begins at the time of booking. Our Best Rate Guarantee ensures that you will get the best possible rate when you book through our websites, Guest Service Center, or by contacting our hotels directly.
In 2000, Craig and his management team completed a series of transformational transactions that more than doubled the size of the company. Ameristar acquired the largest casino in the Kansas City market and another one in the St. Louis market, which was operating in a temporary facility with a mothballed new facility that the current owner did not have the financial resources to complete. Ameristar sold its Henderson, Nevada property to the owner of the two Missouri properties, refinanced its balance sheet and got to work rebranding the properties and completing the new project in St. Charles, Missouri, after a redesign of its interior space overseen by Craig. The new Ameristar St. Charles opened its doors in August 2002 to wide acclaim. The casino floors of Ameristar’s Missouri properties were among the 10 largest in the United States at the time. A 400-room all-suite hotel tower was master-planned for Ameristar St. Charles, which was under construction at the time of Craig’s death.
In the early 2000s, multi-denomination slot machines were introduced in the Las Vegas market. Craig immediately recognized that these machines would be popular with Ameristar’s guests and create opportunities for improvement in the layout of the casino floor. Ameristar was the first adopter of these new machines in the emerging gaming markets and thereby gained an additional competitive advantage that increased its market share and profitability at every property.
Around the same time that Craig launched the Foundation, he also revamped Ameristar’s workplace giving program. Under the new Ameristar Cares program, the company matched 100% of employee contributions, and Craig provided an additional 100% match for employee contributions to designated local spinal cord injury charities in each Ameristar market. Inspired by Craig’s generosity, Ameristar Cares achieved an 85% employee participation rate, a level almost unheard of for workplace giving programs.
In 2004, Ameristar entered the greater Denver market through the acquisition of a bankrupt casino in the former mining town of Black Hawk. Because of the mountainous conditions, most casinos in this market were relatively small. The property Ameristar acquired had attractive architecture, a good location and room for expansion. Craig developed a new master plan for the property that included an expansion of the casino floor, the retrofit of the restaurants, a 25-story hotel tower and additional covered parking. The property was rebranded under the Ameristar name with the completion of the casino floor and restaurant projects in early 2006, and construction on the hotel and garage expansion began shortly before Craig’s passing in November 2006.
At the time of Craig’s death, Ameristar had earned the reputation of a leading developer, owner and operator of casinos and related entertainment facilities in local and regional markets. Its seven properties in six markets exemplified the highest quality in design and construction and offered outstanding dining, lodging and entertainment options along with the most current gaming technology. Sports bookmaker.
Ameristar continued to prosper following Craig’s passing, with the management team driven to run the company in a manner that would make Craig proud. In addition to completing the hotels at Ameristar St. Charles and Ameristar Black Hawk, the company expanded into the greater Chicago market in 2007 and was developing an expansive casino resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana to serve the greater Houston market when Ameristar was acquired by Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. in 2013.
Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs rounds out the casino tour in Pottawattamie County’s mini-Vegas of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Owned by Gaming Leisure Properties and operated by Penn National Gaming, Ameristar Council Bluffs remains the only casino in the area still on the riverboat.
It traces its roots back to 1996 and has since expanded to include 38,500 square feet of gaming space and a decent-sized hotel at the site.
Originally owned by Ameristar Casinos Inc., the company sold to Pinnacle Entertainment in 2013. They operated under the Pinnacle label until Penn National Gaming bought the company in 2018 and has remained with Penn ever since.
Today’s post will dive into an overview of the casino that will touch on the finer points. The following sections will provide an in-depth look at everything you will discover at Ameristar Council Bluffs.
Ready for the tour? Awesome! Let’s get started.
Overview
Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs hosts an array of gaming options. The options include slot machines, table games, video poker, and even a sportsbook.
Whether it’s the machines that get you going, card games, or good old sports betting, you will find everything you need on the casino floor.
They also have five distinct food and drink options. They include glorified fast food menus, sporty atmospheres, casual dining options, and a club that holds the finest entertainment heading into the area.
And don’t forget to join mychoice Rewards to take advantage of the promotions the casino holds. Plus, it always pays to be a member because of the perks and benefits associated with the program.
So, if you’re at the casino or in participating Penn National locations often, you don’t want to miss out on them.
They also have room for meetings and events that hold work conferences, wedding receptions, parties, and more. Plus, if you’re looking for an extended stay at the casino or in the area, be sure to check out the on-site hotel.
Now that you have a quick overview of what to expect at Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs, let’s gain an in-depth look at everything we covered in this section. Get to know the casino inside and out from the gaming to its stellar dining options, and even local area attractions.
Casino Floor
Gaming options at Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs includes 38,500 square feet of convenient casino gaming space. They feature over 1,500 state-of-the-art slot machines. So, whether you’re into classic or modern themes, or low or high denominations up to $100, Ameristar has the games you love.
If you love the electronic games but the slots aren’t your thing, you can always opt for video poker. Video poker is also a great outlet if you’re looking to learn the game without dealing with the pressure of live bettors.
But if you’re ready for the tables, check out one of Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs’ 20 adrenaline-pumping table games. Even if you’re new, relax with the friendly dealers as you learn to play classics like Blackjack and Roulette.
They also offercCraps, Cajun Stud, Heads Up Hold ‘em, Flop Poker, and High-Card Flush. Find your favorite classic, learn a few games, enjoy the contemporary setting, and see if you can go home a winner.
Into sports betting? The Sportsbook at Ameristar Council Bluffs is calling your name. Your ticket to real odds, bet on your favorite professional and college sports teams from all the major sports leagues.
They include wagers like straight bets, parlays, match-ups, futures, prop bets, and so much more. The Sportsbook features contemporary seating, six betting terminals, 10 self-service kiosks, 50 HD TVs, and so much more.
Located on the main level of the casino near the High Limits Room, head on over and make the big game more interesting.
Food and Drink
Dining at Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs includes five dynamic options fit for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for an all-you-can-eat brunch, a vibrant sports atmosphere, or something fast, Ameristar has you covered.
Would you like to engage in that all-you-can-eat affair? Head over to Heritage Buffet and see what’s in store for you. Whether you’re looking for a solid lunch or dinner, Heritage has plenty of options. And don’t miss out on their many specials, ranging from crab legs to prime rib.
Amerisports Bar and Grill includes 50 HD TVs strategically placed around the area so you can enjoy the big game at your leisure. They also have a real-time sports ticker plus a multi-screen video wall, so there’s no better place in the area to catch all the live action.
They serve classic staples like burgers, fajitas, and of course the finest local and internationally known crafts. Bella’s Bakery and Cafe provides a variety of special sandwiches and up to half-pound burgers to go along with macaroni and cheese, chicken-fried steak, sausage gravy, and other Midwestern-inspired cuisine.
Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs
It’s one of two distinct grab-and-go locations at the venue. Your other grab-and-go option is Double Down Dogs.
Serving the finest comfort food in the region, Double Down Dogs is the prime place in the area to satisfy any craving. Located on the first floor, it is the best place in the venue to enjoy a quick meal of anything you’re craving.
Club 38 is an exclusive benefit when you join mychoice (we’ll go over this in the next section). Featuring complimentary food and drink, rack up those tier points when you join mychoice and you will gain access into the finest bar in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Once you join Owner, Elite, and Preferred Member status, prepare for something amazing at Club 38.
Ameristar Casino Buffet Hours
Promotions and Events
![Ameristar casino east chicago indiana Ameristar casino east chicago indiana](/uploads/1/3/5/9/135995781/896832525.jpg)
Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs’ promotions include more ways to win than ever before. Whether you’re there for a daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonal promo, be sure to take full advantage in what’s coming your way.
The best way to do this is to join mychoice Rewards, Penn National Gaming’s world-renown loyalty program.
What happens when you join mychoice Rewards? You will receive immediate perks such as Free Slot Play the next time you visit Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs or any participating Penn National Gaming location.
On the day you sign up, you will earn $5 in Free Slot Play, and you can receive even finer benefits within the first 7 days of enrollment.
Rack up 250 tier points and receive $10 in mycash. If you rack up 750 tier points, you get a complimentary night at the hotel during a weekday.
Gain 1,000 tier points within the first seven days and you will have access into Club 38. But that’s just the beginning. The more points you rack up, the better the perks and benefits. Be sure to sign up today and rack up those points by playing your favorite games at the casino.
And don’t forget to check the calendar to be there for the big event at Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs. Plan your next event here if you’re looking to host a work conference, wedding reception, or party at the casino.
Their Grand Ballroom can serve up to 400 guests and the Riverside Room fits up to 50 guests. Best uk slots website. Whether you’re looking to go short or long, Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs can hold your next event.
Accommodations and Nearby Attractions
Looking for accommodations at Ameristar Council Bluffs? Great, you came to the right place.
Book one of the 160 guest rooms and immerse yourself in relaxing comfort for the evening. Redesigned with a contemporary look that will rival that of any area hotel, you’re looking at 32 whirlpool king spas and eight octagon luxury suites to choose from, among others.
Find customized furniture, high-tech lighting, flat-screen televisions, stunning views of the Missouri River, and so much more.
They also have several hot economic options, so they can be pretty budget-friendly. That means you can certainly spend more on entertainment! Whether it’s economy or luxury you’re looking for, Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs can provide you peace of mind.
Ameristar Casino Vicksburg
And don’t forget to check out the surrounding area if you’re here for an extended stay. You will find over a dozen hot attractions, so you can turn a stay at the casino into an all-out vacation.
Some of the more notable attractions include Orpheum Theater, the Durham Museum, Omaha’s Old Market District, Joslyn Art Museum, Squirrel Cage Jail Museum, Taste of Omaha, the Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival, and the Santa Lucia Italian Festival.
Conclusion
As you can see, Ameristar Casino and Hotel in Council Bluffs may still hold its venue on a riverboat, but don’t let that allow you to underestimate everything it offers. You’re getting four-figures’ worth of slot machines and dining options to fit every need.
And with the Penn National Gaming label, you also have a fine venue that has and will continue to expand and stand the test of time.
Complete with an area fit for a vacation destination plus other area casinos, a trip to Ameristar Council Bluffs sets the stage for a wonderful week long vacation.
Have you been to Ameristar Casino and Hotel in Council Bluffs? If so, let us know in the comments and tell us about your experience. We’re always looking forward to hearing from you.