Wednesday morning, marking the start of Ameristar Casino’s construction

on a $500 million casino-resort

in Lake Charles.

Work started a little more than two

years after Pinnacle Entertainment scrapped plans to build Sugarcane

Bay. That was followed

by former Pinnacle CEO and Las Vegas businessman Dan Lee’s

obtaining of a Louisiana riverboat gambling license with the intent

of building what was to be called Mojito Pointe.

Ameristar purchased Lee’s company, Creative Casinos, after he encountered financing difficulties, and it was granted a gambling

license by state regulators to build a casino-resort.

When completed, Ameristar’s new property will look similar to Lee’s project.

Company officials gathered with local and state dignitaries for the official groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site

behind Sam’s Club, near Interstate 210.

Gordon Kanofsky, Ameristar CEO, said that when construction work is finished in 2014, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in Lake

Charles will be a premier destination.

“We like to under-promise and over-deliver,” he said. “We are going to get it done.”

The casino-resort — which is being

built on 242 acres of land next to Pinnacle’s L’Auberge — will include

1,600 slot machines

and 60 table games; a luxury hotel with 700 guest rooms and 70

suites; bars and restaurants; an 18-hole golf course; tennis

club; swimming pools; and a spa.

Kanofsky said the company does well in regional markets like Lake Charles. He complimented local and state officials for their

assistance in helping to move the project forward from regulatory permits to land deal negotiations.

“This truly has been one of the easiest paths forward. This is a community that gets things done,” he said.

Robert Jones, a member of the state’s Gaming Control Board, said Ameristar is a good company.

He explained to onlookers that the company passed an extensive background check by state police. After that, gambling regulators

found the company worthy of being granted a riverboat license.

Harry Hank, president of the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District’s board of commissioners, said the start of construction

was a landmark moment for the region.

“When work is completed and the resort is fully operational, I am confident we will have the premier gaming resort area in

the country,” he said.

Ameristar reportedly has 7,500 employees among eight properties and generates $1 billion a year.