This is from msnbc.com

LAS VEGAS, NV — Ray Neilsen has announced plans to resign his position as executive Chairman of the Board and as a member of the board of directors of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASCA), effective May 5, 2011.

"It is now time for me to shift my attention to The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation established by my father and significantly expand my work on its programs focused on spinal cord injury (SCI) scientific research, quality-of-life for SCI patients and adult literacy and education," said Neilsen. "I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life, and I know I am leaving the Company in the hands of talented and capable people."

Ray Neilsen joined Ameristar's original Jackpot properties in 1991 after completing his M.B.A. and held several management positions in food and beverage before being promoted to Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs and later Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg. He was later named Corporate Vice President of Operations and Special Projects before being promoted to Co-Chairman and then Chairman of the Board. Among his many accomplishments over the years were leading Ameristar Council Bluffs to become the first riverboat casino-hotel property to earn the American Automobile Association's prestigious Four Diamond Award and the spearheading of Ameristar Vicksburg's growth project that included the permanent dry-docking of the casino to facilitate its expansion from 44,500 to 70,000 square feet, a 1,000-space parking garage and additional food and beverage outlets.

"The Company has never been more successful than it is today," said Gordon R. Kanofsky, Ameristar's Chief Executive Officer. "Ameristar owes much to Ray and his family, who over the last 45 years helped transform two small casinos in Jackpot, Nevada into a leading Las Vegas-based gaming and entertainment company. Ray's knowledge and insight of the gaming industry and his passion for Ameristar invaluably contributed to our success. We will deeply miss him and wish him well."

MGC Announces Edward J. Grewach as General Counsel

Jefferson City, Missouri – The Missouri Gaming Commission has promoted staff attorney Edward Grewach to General Counsel.

MGC Executive Director Roger Stottlemyre says “Edward Grewach’s law experience is broad based, and of great benefit to the Commission. He has governmental and law enforcement legal experience and is an excellent candidate to replace Michael Bradley. We congratulate and wish Michael Bradley well in his new role.”  Governor Jay Nixon has appointed Michael Bradley as Associate Circuit Court Judge of Boone County.

Originally from Troy, Missouri, Edward Grewach is a 1981 graduate of the University Of Missouri- School Of Law. He has served as city attorney of Troy, Missouri for 25 years. Grewach also was prosecuting attorney for Lincoln County, Missouri, as well as legal counsel for four school districts within Lincoln County. He represented the Lincoln County Memorial Hospital for the past 25 years. Grewach is former owner and practicing attorney at Grewach Attorney at Law in Troy.

Isle of Capri Corp. this morning has been selected to build a new casino in Pennsylvania.

The Creve Coeur-based gaming company will partner with theNemacolin Woodlands Resort south of Pittsburgh on a $50 million Lady Luck casino. It'll include 600 slot machines and 28 table games on Nemacolin's 2,000 acre resort campus.

Isle was selected for a license Thursday by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Once the license is formally awarded, it expects construction to last about nine months.

Last year, the gaming company also won the final license available in Missouri, to build a $125 million casino in Cape Girardeau. It broke ground on that property last week and hopes to open in late 2012.

From time to time we take a break and interview a Missouri Gaming Commission staff member.Today our victim is Angie Franks. She is the Commission's assistant, assistant to Executive Director Roger Stottlemyre and an all around swell gal.

1. Give us a synopsis of your job-

AF- I prepare documents for commission meetings, discipline review board, scheduling for the executive director and commissioners, prepare the annual report. I also plan the commission meetings, and the things that go with the meetings, like lunch, court reporters, etc.

2. So you're saying you have lots of free time? Ha. What do you do with your personal free time. Hobbies?

AF-My kids keep me extremely busy with sporting events, sometimes two different sporting events with three different kids at different times.

3. What is the most exciting part of your job?

AF- Commission meetings. This is when all of what we do comes together.

4. How long have you been with the Commission?

AF- Since January 1,1998.

5. What has been the most interesting time in the Commission's history for you?

AF-The different times in which the riverboat gaming casinos have opened to the public.

6. Do you feel you have seen a real change in how the Commission operates?

AF- No. We're regulators. I have worked for four different Executive Directors. Even though each has their style, it always goes back to regulation. From that we never waiver.

7.If you could change anything about your job what would you change?

AF-I really wouldn't change anything.

8.What would you do if you won a jackpot?

AF- I cannot win a jackpot. I am not allowed to gamble on Missouri riverboat gaming casinos. Commissioners as well as Commission employees are not allowed to gamble on Missouri riverboat casinos.

9. Ok, what if a bundle of money fell from the sky and landed on your lap. What would you do?

AF- I would go on a luxurious vacation…someplace warm and tropical.

10. Coke or Pepsi?

AF- Pepsi.

KFVS 12 TV- Cape Girardeau-

Tim Logan of the St.Louis Post Dispatch writes about MGC disciplinary actions and fines today. Read it here.

The television story from KFVS 12

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From the Associated Press-

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. —  Isle of Capri is preparing to begin work this week on a $125 million casino in Cape Girardeau.

The Southeast Missourian reports the groundbreaking ceremony for the state’s newest casino is scheduled Thursday afternoon.

The Missouri Gaming Commission awarded the casino license to Isle of Capri in December.

Plans call for a casino along the Mississippi River with 1,000 slot machines, 28 table games, three restaurants, a lounge and a terrace overlooking the river, along with a 750-seat event center.

From KFVS-12 Cape Girardeau-

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) –

Isle of Capri plans to break ground on its new Cape Girardeau casino next week.

An invitation e-mailed to Heartland News says the groundbreaking ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Main and Mill streets in downtown Cape. 

Isle of Capri also posted a public invitation to the event on its Facebook page.

Plans to build the new casino took off December 1, when the Missouri Gaming Commission announced it would give Isle of Capri "preferred developer" status.  Missouri's 13th casino license is expected to be handed over to Isle of Capri when the Cape Girardeau location opens.

The Cape Girardeau casino was expected to open in late 2012.