On April 16, 2012, Ameristar Casinos, Inc. ("ACI"), Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Administrative Agent, and certain other lenders party to ACI's April 14, 2011 Credit Agreement (as amended, the "Credit Agreement") entered into a First Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "First Amendment"). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

The First Amendment has the effect of increasing the permitted maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio under the Credit Agreement for fiscal quarters ending in 2014 from 5.50:1.00 to 5.75:1.00, and for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015 from 5.25:1.00 to 5.50:1.00.

ACI paid a fee to those lenders that consented to the First Amendment equal to 0.05% of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding loans and loan commitments held by each such lender.

The foregoing is only a summary of the terms of the First Amendment and is qualified by reference to the full text of the First Amendment, which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.                                 Description

    4.1       First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2012, by and
              among ACI, the lenders party thereto and Deutsche Bank Trust Company
              Americas, as Administrative Agent