Ameristar also announced Monday that Neilsen's controlling stakein the company will be transferred to his private foundation, theCraig H. Neilsen Foundation. The foundation primarily focuses onspinal cord injury research and treatment. The successorco-trustees of the Foundation are Ameristar EVP Gordon R. Kanofskyand Neilsen's son, Ray Neilsen, both of whom have been electedco-chairmen of the board.

Pre-empting likely speculation about a possible buyout byanother publicly held casino operator, Ameristar noted in thismorning's announcement that it was Neilsen's wish for the Craig H.Neilsen Foundation "to retain its controlling interest in Ameristarfor the long term." Despite the announcement, Ameristar stock todayhit an all-time high of $30.82 in morning trading and in afternoontrading stood at $28.76, up $3.08 (12%).

Ameristar's only chairman and CEO since its inception in 1993,Neilsen was inducted into the American Gaming Association's GamingHall of Fame in 2005. In 2002, he was named "Best Performing CEO"by the American Gaming Association. He was born in Logan, UT in1941.