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<TITLE>Ameristar Casinos Inc. Form S-8</TITLE>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 15, 2004
</FONT>


<DIV  align="right"><FONT size="2">Registration
No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</FONT></DIV>

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<P align="center"><FONT size="4"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
</B></FONT>


<DIV align="center"><FONT size="3"><B>Washington, DC 20549</B>
</FONT></DIV>


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<P align="center"><FONT size="5"><B>FORM S-8
</B></FONT>


<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</FONT></DIV>


<P align="center"><FONT size="6"><B>AMERISTAR CASINOS, INC.
</B></FONT>


<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
</FONT></DIV>

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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Nevada</B><BR>
(State or Other Jurisdiction<BR>
of Incorporation or Organization)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<B>88-0304799</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</FONT></TD>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>3773 Howard Hughes Parkway<BR>
Suite&nbsp;490 South<BR>
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
</FONT>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Ameristar Casinos, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan</B><BR>
(Full Title of the Plan)
</FONT>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PETER C. WALSH<BR>
Senior Vice President and General Counsel<BR>
Ameristar Casinos, Inc.<BR>
3773 Howard Hughes Parkway<BR>
Suite&nbsp;490 South<BR>
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109</B><BR>
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
</FONT>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>(702)&nbsp;567-7000</B><BR>
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
</FONT>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2">Copies to:<BR>
JONATHAN K. LAYNE, ESQ.<BR>
Gibson, Dunn &#038; Crutcher LLP<BR>
2029 Century Park East<BR>
Los Angeles, California 90067<BR>
(310)&nbsp;552-8500
</FONT>

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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD colspan="17"><HR size="4" noshade></TD>
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    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="17"><FONT size="1"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></FONT></TD>
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    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount of</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title of Securities</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount to Be</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Offering Price Per</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Registration</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>to Be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Registered</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Share</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Price</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Fee</B></FONT></TD>
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    <TD colspan="17" align="left"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><HR size="1" noshade></DIV></TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap><FONT size="2">Ameristar Casinos, Inc.<br>Deferred Compensation<br>Plan Interests (1)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">15,000,000</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">100%</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">15,000,000</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">1,901</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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    <TD colspan="17" align="left"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><HR size="1" noshade></DIV></TD>
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    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">The Ameristar Casinos, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan Interests represent
unsecured obligations of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. to pay deferred compensation
to employees of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. in the future and guarantees to pay
deferred compensation to employees of certain affiliates of Ameristar Casinos,
Inc. in the future in accordance with the terms of the Ameristar Casinos, Inc.
Deferred Compensation Plan.</FONT></TD>
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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

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<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#009">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#010">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#011">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#012">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="v03235exv5w1.htm">EXHIBIT 5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="v03235exv23w2.htm">EXHIBIT 23.2</A></TD></TR>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INTRODUCTION</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 is filed by Ameristar Casinos,
Inc., a Nevada corporation (the &#147;Company,&#148; &#147;Corporation&#148; or &#147;Registrant&#148;), and
relates to $25,000,000 of unsecured obligations of the Company to pay deferred
compensation to employees of the Company in the future and guarantees to pay
deferred compensation to employees of certain affiliates of the Company in the
future (both the obligations and the guarantees referred to as the &#147;Ameristar
Casinos, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan Interests&#148; or the &#147;Deferred
Compensation Plan Interests&#148;) in accordance with the terms of the Ameristar
Casinos, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the &#147;Deferred Compensation Plan&#148;).
Of such interests, $10,000,000 have already been registered pursuant to a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No.&nbsp;333-56612), which was filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) on March&nbsp;6, 2001 (the
&#147;2001 Registration Statement&#148;) and which is currently effective. This
Registration Statement, therefore, registers the additional $15,000,000 of
Deferred Compensation Plan Interests that may be issued pursuant to the
Deferred Compensation Plan.
</FONT>

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART I</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not filed as part of this Registration Statement pursuant to Note to Part 1 of Form&nbsp;S-8.
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not filed as part of this Registration Statement pursuant to Note to Part 1 of Form&nbsp;S-8.
</FONT>

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART II</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents, which previously have been filed by the Company
with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference and made a part
hereof:
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp; The Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended
December&nbsp;31, 2003;
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp; The Company&#146;s Quarterly Reports on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the fiscal quarters
ended March&nbsp;31, 2004, June&nbsp;30, 2004 and September 30, 2004;
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp; The Company&#146;s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2003 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders, filed April&nbsp;29, 2004;
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iv)&nbsp; The Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed March 6, 2001;
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(v)&nbsp; The Company&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;3,
2004 and June&nbsp;2, 2004 and the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
October&nbsp;28, 2004 and filed with the Commission on October&nbsp;28, 2004; and
</FONT>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(vi)&nbsp; All other reports filed pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report
referred to in (i)&nbsp;above.
</FONT>

<P align="right"><FONT size="2">2</FONT>

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<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All reports and other documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
hereto, which indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or
which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For purposes of this Registration Statement, any document or any statement
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by
reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a
subsequently filed document or a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated
herein by reference modifies or supersedes such document or such statement in
such document. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement.
</FONT>

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subsection 7 of Section&nbsp;78.138 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (the &#147;Nevada
Law&#148;) provides that, subject to certain very limited statutory exceptions, a
director or officer is not personally liable to the corporation or its
stockholders for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act in his or
her capacity as a director or officer, unless it is proven that the act or
failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a
director or officer and such breach of those duties involved intentional
misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law. The statutory standard of
liability established by Section&nbsp;78.138 is not optional and controls even if
there is a provision in the articles of incorporation of a Nevada corporation,
including such a provision in the Registrant&#146;s Articles of Incorporation, that
attempts to establish a different standard of liability.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subsection 1 of Section&nbsp;78.7502 of the Nevada Law empowers a corporation
to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is
or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise (an &#147;Indemnified Party&#148;), against expenses (including attorneys&#146;
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if the Indemnified Party would not be liable pursuant to Section
78.138 of the Nevada Law or the Indemnified Party acted in good faith and in a
manner the Indemnified Party reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnified Party&#146;s conduct
was unlawful.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subsection 2 of Section&nbsp;78.7502 of the Nevada Law empowers a corporation
to indemnify any Indemnified Party who was or is a party or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in
the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of
the fact that such person acted in the capacity of an Indemnified Party against
expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys&#146; fees actually and
reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit, if the Indemnified Party acted under
standards similar to those set forth above, except that no indemnification may
be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnified
Party shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
</FONT>
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<P align="left"><FONT size="2"> corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation unless
and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought
determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances the
Indemnified Party is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses as the court deems proper.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;78.7502 of the Nevada Law further provides that to the extent an
Indemnified Party has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense
of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsection (1)&nbsp;or (2)
described above or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the
corporation shall indemnify the Indemnified Party against expenses (including
attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in
connection therewith.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subsection 1 of Section&nbsp;78.751 of the Nevada Law provides that any
discretionary indemnification pursuant to Section&nbsp;78.7502 of the Nevada Law,
unless ordered by a court or advanced pursuant to Subsection 2 of Section
78.751, may be made by a corporation only as authorized in the specific case
upon a determination that indemnification of the Indemnified Person is proper
in the circumstances. Such determination must be made (a)&nbsp;by the stockholders,
(b)&nbsp;by the board of directors of the corporation by majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding,
(c)&nbsp;if a majority vote of a quorum of such disinterested directors so orders,
by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d)&nbsp;by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion if a quorum of such disinterested directors cannot
be obtained.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subsection 2 of Section&nbsp;78.751 of the Nevada Law provides that a
corporation&#146;s articles of incorporation or bylaws or an agreement made by the
corporation may require the corporation to pay as incurred and in advance of
the final disposition of a criminal or civil action, suit or proceeding, the
expenses of officers and directors in defending such action, suit or proceeding
upon receipt by the corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
officer or director to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a
court that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. Said
Subsection 2 further provides that the provisions of that Subsection 2 do not
affect any rights to advancement of expenses to which corporate personnel other
than officers and directors may be entitled under contract or otherwise by law.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subsection 3 of Section&nbsp;78.751 of the Nevada Law provides that
indemnification pursuant to Section&nbsp;78.7502 of the Nevada Law and advancement
of expenses authorized in or ordered by a court pursuant to Section&nbsp;78.751 does
not exclude any other rights to which the Indemnified Party may be entitled
under the articles of incorporation or any bylaw, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, for either an action in
his or her official capacity or in another capacity while holding his or her
office. However, indemnification, unless ordered by a court pursuant to Section
78.7502 or for the advancement of expenses under Subsection 2 of Section&nbsp;78.751
of the Nevada Law, may not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer
of the corporation if a final adjudication establishes that his or her acts or
omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the
law and were material to the cause of action. Additionally, the scope of such
indemnification and advancement of expenses shall continue as to an Indemnified
Party who has ceased to hold one of the positions specified above, and shall
inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;78.752 of the Nevada Law empowers a corporation to purchase and
maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of an
Indemnified Party for any liability asserted against such person and
liabilities and expenses incurred by such person in his or her capacity as an
Indemnified Party or arising out of such person&#146;s status as an Indemnified
Party whether or not the corporation has the authority to indemnify such person
against such liability and expenses.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Bylaws of the Registrant provide for indemnification of Indemnified
Parties substantially identical in scope to that permitted under the Nevada
Law. Such Bylaws provide that the expenses of directors and officers of the
Registrant incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, must be paid by the Registrant as
they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit
or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
</FONT>
<P align="right"><FONT size="2">4</FONT>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>


<P align="left"><FONT size="2"> behalf of such director or officer to repay all amounts so advanced if it
is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the director
or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant has a contract for insurance coverage under which the
Registrant and certain Indemnified Parties (including the directors and
officers of the Registrant) are indemnified under certain circumstances with
respect to litigation and other costs and liabilities arising out of actual or
alleged misconduct of such Indemnified Parties. In addition, the Registrant has
entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers that
require the Registrant to indemnify such directors and officers to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable provisions of Nevada Law, subject to amounts
paid by insurance. The above-described provisions relating to the
indemnification of directors and officers are sufficiently broad to permit the
indemnification of such persons in certain circumstances against liabilities
(including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities
Act.
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following exhibits are filed herewith:
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="34%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit No.</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR align="left" size="1" width="75%" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR align="left" size="1" width="14%" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Legal Opinion of Gibson, Dunn &#038; Crutcher LLP.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Gibson, Dunn &#038; Crutcher LLP (contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
</FONT>


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="12%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(a)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="84%"><FONT size="2">To file, during any period in which offers or
sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
registration statement:</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
    <TD width="16%"></TD>
    <TD width="84%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
    <TD width="16%"></TD>
    <TD width="84%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the registration
statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed
that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or
high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be
reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in
volume and price represent no more than a 20&nbsp;percent change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
&#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective
registration statement; and</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="right"><FONT size="2">5</FONT>

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<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
    <TD width="16%"></TD>
    <TD width="84%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;To include any material information with respect
to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2"><I>&nbsp;</I></FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2"><I>provided, however, </I>that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do not apply
if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the
Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act
that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="12%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(b)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="84%"><FONT size="2">That, for the purpose of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(c)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="93%"><FONT size="2">To remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being
registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp; The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the
Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp; Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Item&nbsp;6 of this Part II, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer
or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
</FONT>

<P align="right"><FONT size="2">6</FONT>

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<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="011"></A></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Las Vegas, State of Nevada, on this 15th day of
November, 2004.
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="41%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
By:
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Craig H. Neilsen
<HR size="1" noshade>
Craig H. Neilsen<BR>
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive<BR>
Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Craig
H. Neilsen and Thomas M. Steinbauer, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, severally, for him or her and in his or her name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or their or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="41%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="17%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Date</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Craig H. Neilsen</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Chairman of the Board, President
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">November&nbsp;15, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Craig H. Neilsen</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Thomas M. Steinbauer</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Senior Vice President of Finance,
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">November&nbsp;15, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Thomas M. Steinbauer</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Secretary and Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
(Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Thomas L. Malone</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Vice President of Finance and</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">November&nbsp;15, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Controller</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Thomas L. Malone</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
(Principal Accounting Officer)
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Larry A. Hodges
<HR size="1" noshade>
Larry A. Hodges</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">November&nbsp;15, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Joseph E. Monaly
<HR size="1" noshade>
Joseph E. Monaly</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">November&nbsp;15, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Leslie Nathanson Juris<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Leslie Nathanson Juris</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">November&nbsp;15, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ J. William Richardson
<HR size="1" noshade>
J. William Richardson</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">November&nbsp;15, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ W. Bruce Turner
<HR size="1" noshade>
W. Bruce Turner</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">November&nbsp;15, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>


<P align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>
<P align="right"><FONT size="2">7</FONT>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, the administrative committee of the Deferred Compensation Plan
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Las Vegas, State of Nevada, on this
15th day of November, 2004.
</FONT>



<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="52%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" colspan="3"><FONT size="2">
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan<br><br>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
By:
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Thomas L. Malone<HR size="1" noshade>Thomas L. Malone<br>Member of the Administrative Committee
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>




<P><BR>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On this 15th day of November, 2004, Craig H. Neilsen directed Connie
Wilson, in his presence as well as our own, to sign the foregoing document in two places as
&#147;Craig H. Neilsen.&#148; Upon viewing the signature as signed by Connie Wilson, and
in our presence, Craig H. Neilsen declared to us that he adopted them as his own
signatures.
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="52%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/&nbsp;Janet Catron
<HR size="1" noshade>
Witness</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/&nbsp;Shirley Lizotte<HR size="1" noshade>
Witness</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="21%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="76%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">STATE OF NEVADA</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2">)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
:ss</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">COUNTY OF CLARK</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2">)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I,
Margene Otten, Notary Public in and for said
county and state, do hereby certify that Craig H. Neilsen personally appeared
before me and is known or identified to me to the person whose name is
subscribed to the within instrument. Craig H. Neilsen, who being unable due to
physical incapacity to sign his own name or offer his mark, did direct Connie
Wilson, in his presence, as well as my own, to sign the foregoing document in
two places as &#147;Craig H. Neilsen.&#148; Craig H. Neilsen, after viewing his name as
signed by Connie Wilson, thereupon adopted it as his own by acknowledging to me
his intention to so adopt it as if he had personally executed the same.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this
15th day of November, 2004.
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="31%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="24%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="33%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/&nbsp;Margene Otten</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Notary Public</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Residing at:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Las Vegas, NV</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">My Commission Expires:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">July 23, 2006</FONT><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>
<P align="right"><FONT size="2">8</FONT>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<!-- link1 "INDEX TO EXHIBITS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="012"></A></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="89%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit No.</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" width="100%" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" width="8%" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Legal Opinion of Gibson, Dunn &#038; Crutcher LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD  align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Gibson, Dunn &#038; Crutcher LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"  align="center"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>

<P align="right"><FONT size="2">9</FONT>
</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v03235sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 60947}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AMERISTAR CASINOS INC", "cik": "0000912145", "assigned-sic": "7990", "irs-number": "880304799", "state-of-incorporation": "NV", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-120516", "film-number": "041146744"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3773 HOWARD HUGHES PKWY", "street2": "SUITE 490 SOUTH", "city": "LAS VEGAS", "state": "NV", "zip": "89109", "phone": "7025677000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "3773 HOWARD HUGHES PKWY", "street2": "SUITE 490 SOUTH", "city": "LAS VEGAS", "state": "NV", "zip": "89109"}}
Ameristar Casinos Inc. Form S-8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 15, 2004
Registration
No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AMERISTAR CASINOS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Nevada
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
88-0304799
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
3773 Howard Hughes Parkway
Suite 490 South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan
(Full Title of the Plan)
PETER C. WALSH
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Ameristar Casinos, Inc.
3773 Howard Hughes Parkway
Suite 490 South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
(702) 567-7000
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
JONATHAN K. LAYNE, ESQ.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
2029 Century Park East
Los Angeles, California 90067
(310) 552-8500
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Amount of
Title of Securities
Amount to Be
Offering Price Per
Aggregate Offering
Registration
to Be Registered
Registered
Share
Price
Fee
Ameristar Casinos, Inc.
Deferred Compensation
Plan Interests (1)
$
15,000,000
100%
$
15,000,000
$
1,901
(1)
The Ameristar Casinos, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan Interests represent
unsecured obligations of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. to pay deferred compensation
to employees of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. in the future and guarantees to pay
deferred compensation to employees of certain affiliates of Ameristar Casinos,
Inc. in the future in accordance with the terms of the Ameristar Casinos, Inc.
Deferred Compensation Plan.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT 5.1
EXHIBIT 23.2
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed by Ameristar Casinos,
Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company," "Corporation" or "Registrant"), and
relates to $25,000,000 of unsecured obligations of the Company to pay deferred
compensation to employees of the Company in the future and guarantees to pay
deferred compensation to employees of certain affiliates of the Company in the
future (both the obligations and the guarantees referred to as the "Ameristar
Casinos, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan Interests" or the "Deferred
Compensation Plan Interests") in accordance with the terms of the Ameristar
Casinos, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Deferred Compensation Plan").
Of such interests, $10,000,000 have already been registered pursuant to a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-56612), which was filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on March 6, 2001 (the
"2001 Registration Statement") and which is currently effective. This
Registration Statement, therefore, registers the additional $15,000,000 of
Deferred Compensation Plan Interests that may be issued pursuant to the
Deferred Compensation Plan.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.
Not filed as part of this Registration Statement pursuant to Note to Part 1 of Form S-8.
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
Not filed as part of this Registration Statement pursuant to Note to Part 1 of Form S-8.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents, which previously have been filed by the Company
with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference and made a part
hereof:
(i)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2003;
(ii)  The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters
ended March 31, 2004, June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2004;
(iii)  The Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its 2003 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders, filed April 29, 2004;
(iv)  The Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed March 6, 2001;
(v)  The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 3,
2004 and June 2, 2004 and the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
October 28, 2004 and filed with the Commission on October 28, 2004; and
(vi)  All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report
referred to in (i) above.
2
Table of Contents
All reports and other documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
hereto, which indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or
which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents.
For purposes of this Registration Statement, any document or any statement
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by
reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a
subsequently filed document or a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated
herein by reference modifies or supersedes such document or such statement in
such document. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Subsection 7 of Section 78.138 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (the "Nevada
Law") provides that, subject to certain very limited statutory exceptions, a
director or officer is not personally liable to the corporation or its
stockholders for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act in his or
her capacity as a director or officer, unless it is proven that the act or
failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a
director or officer and such breach of those duties involved intentional
misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law. The statutory standard of
liability established by Section 78.138 is not optional and controls even if
there is a provision in the articles of incorporation of a Nevada corporation,
including such a provision in the Registrant's Articles of Incorporation, that
attempts to establish a different standard of liability.
Subsection 1 of Section 78.7502 of the Nevada Law empowers a corporation
to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is
or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise (an "Indemnified Party"), against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if the Indemnified Party would not be liable pursuant to Section
78.138 of the Nevada Law or the Indemnified Party acted in good faith and in a
manner the Indemnified Party reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnified Party's conduct
was unlawful.
Subsection 2 of Section 78.7502 of the Nevada Law empowers a corporation
to indemnify any Indemnified Party who was or is a party or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in
the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of
the fact that such person acted in the capacity of an Indemnified Party against
expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys' fees actually and
reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit, if the Indemnified Party acted under
standards similar to those set forth above, except that no indemnification may
be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnified
Party shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
3
Table of Contents
corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation unless
and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought
determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances the
Indemnified Party is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses as the court deems proper.
Section 78.7502 of the Nevada Law further provides that to the extent an
Indemnified Party has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense
of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsection (1) or (2)
described above or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the
corporation shall indemnify the Indemnified Party against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in
connection therewith.
Subsection 1 of Section 78.751 of the Nevada Law provides that any
discretionary indemnification pursuant to Section 78.7502 of the Nevada Law,
unless ordered by a court or advanced pursuant to Subsection 2 of Section
78.751, may be made by a corporation only as authorized in the specific case
upon a determination that indemnification of the Indemnified Person is proper
in the circumstances. Such determination must be made (a) by the stockholders,
(b) by the board of directors of the corporation by majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding,
(c) if a majority vote of a quorum of such disinterested directors so orders,
by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d) by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion if a quorum of such disinterested directors cannot
be obtained.
Subsection 2 of Section 78.751 of the Nevada Law provides that a
corporation's articles of incorporation or bylaws or an agreement made by the
corporation may require the corporation to pay as incurred and in advance of
the final disposition of a criminal or civil action, suit or proceeding, the
expenses of officers and directors in defending such action, suit or proceeding
upon receipt by the corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
officer or director to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a
court that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. Said
Subsection 2 further provides that the provisions of that Subsection 2 do not
affect any rights to advancement of expenses to which corporate personnel other
than officers and directors may be entitled under contract or otherwise by law.
Subsection 3 of Section 78.751 of the Nevada Law provides that
indemnification pursuant to Section 78.7502 of the Nevada Law and advancement
of expenses authorized in or ordered by a court pursuant to Section 78.751 does
not exclude any other rights to which the Indemnified Party may be entitled
under the articles of incorporation or any bylaw, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, for either an action in
his or her official capacity or in another capacity while holding his or her
office. However, indemnification, unless ordered by a court pursuant to Section
78.7502 or for the advancement of expenses under Subsection 2 of Section 78.751
of the Nevada Law, may not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer
of the corporation if a final adjudication establishes that his or her acts or
omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the
law and were material to the cause of action. Additionally, the scope of such
indemnification and advancement of expenses shall continue as to an Indemnified
Party who has ceased to hold one of the positions specified above, and shall
inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators.
Section 78.752 of the Nevada Law empowers a corporation to purchase and
maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of an
Indemnified Party for any liability asserted against such person and
liabilities and expenses incurred by such person in his or her capacity as an
Indemnified Party or arising out of such person's status as an Indemnified
Party whether or not the corporation has the authority to indemnify such person
against such liability and expenses.
The Bylaws of the Registrant provide for indemnification of Indemnified
Parties substantially identical in scope to that permitted under the Nevada
Law. Such Bylaws provide that the expenses of directors and officers of the
Registrant incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, must be paid by the Registrant as
they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit
or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
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behalf of such director or officer to repay all amounts so advanced if it
is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the director
or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant.
The Registrant has a contract for insurance coverage under which the
Registrant and certain Indemnified Parties (including the directors and
officers of the Registrant) are indemnified under certain circumstances with
respect to litigation and other costs and liabilities arising out of actual or
alleged misconduct of such Indemnified Parties. In addition, the Registrant has
entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers that
require the Registrant to indemnify such directors and officers to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable provisions of Nevada Law, subject to amounts
paid by insurance. The above-described provisions relating to the
indemnification of directors and officers are sufficiently broad to permit the
indemnification of such persons in certain circumstances against liabilities
(including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities
Act.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith:
Exhibit No.
Description
5.1
Legal Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
23.1
Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
24.1
Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).
Item 9. Undertakings.
(1)       The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a)
To file, during any period in which offers or
sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the registration
statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed
that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or
high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be
reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in
volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
registration statement; and
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(iii) To include any material information with respect
to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
provided, however,
that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do not apply
if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the
Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act
that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
(b)
That, for the purpose of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(c)
To remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being
registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(2)  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Item 6 of this Part II, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer
or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Las Vegas, State of Nevada, on this 15th day of
November, 2004.
By:
/s/ Craig H. Neilsen
Craig H. Neilsen
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Craig
H. Neilsen and Thomas M. Steinbauer, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, severally, for him or her and in his or her name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or their or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Craig H. Neilsen
Chairman of the Board, President
November 15, 2004
and Chief Executive Officer
Craig H. Neilsen
/s/ Thomas M. Steinbauer
Senior Vice President of Finance,
November 15, 2004
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,
Thomas M. Steinbauer
Secretary and Director
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Thomas L. Malone
Vice President of Finance and
November 15, 2004
Controller
Thomas L. Malone
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Larry A. Hodges
Larry A. Hodges
Director
November 15, 2004
/s/ Joseph E. Monaly
Joseph E. Monaly
Director
November 15, 2004
/s/ Leslie Nathanson Juris
Leslie Nathanson Juris
Director
November 15, 2004
/s/ J. William Richardson
J. William Richardson
Director
November 15, 2004
/s/ W. Bruce Turner
W. Bruce Turner
Director
November 15, 2004
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Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, the administrative committee of the Deferred Compensation Plan
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Las Vegas, State of Nevada, on this
15th day of November, 2004.
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan
By:
/s/ Thomas L. Malone
Thomas L. Malone
Member of the Administrative Committee
On this 15th day of November, 2004, Craig H. Neilsen directed Connie
Wilson, in his presence as well as our own, to sign the foregoing document in two places as
"Craig H. Neilsen." Upon viewing the signature as signed by Connie Wilson, and
in our presence, Craig H. Neilsen declared to us that he adopted them as his own
signatures.
/s/ Janet Catron
Witness
/s/ Shirley Lizotte
Witness
STATE OF NEVADA
)
:ss
COUNTY OF CLARK
)
I,
Margene Otten, Notary Public in and for said
county and state, do hereby certify that Craig H. Neilsen personally appeared
before me and is known or identified to me to the person whose name is
subscribed to the within instrument. Craig H. Neilsen, who being unable due to
physical incapacity to sign his own name or offer his mark, did direct Connie
Wilson, in his presence, as well as my own, to sign the foregoing document in
two places as "Craig H. Neilsen." Craig H. Neilsen, after viewing his name as
signed by Connie Wilson, thereupon adopted it as his own by acknowledging to me
his intention to so adopt it as if he had personally executed the same.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this
15th day of November, 2004.
/s/ Margene Otten
Notary Public
Residing at:
Las Vegas, NV
My Commission Expires:
July 23, 2006
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
Description
5.1
Legal Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
23.1
Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
24.1
Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).
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