AMERISTAR CASINOS INC
EXHIBIT 10.4
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<TYPE>EX-10.4
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<FILENAME>v85734exv10w4.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.4
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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                  AMENDMENT TO EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

        THIS AMENDMENT TO EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Amendment") is
made and entered into as of August 16, 2002, by and between Ameristar Casinos,
Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and Peter C. Walsh (the
"Executive").

        WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive are parties to an Executive
Employment Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2002 (the "Agreement"); and

        WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to amend the Agreement in
certain respects as more particularly set forth in this Amendment.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and
valuable consideration, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:

        1. Amendment to Section 6.4(g). Section 6.4(g) of the Agreement is
hereby amended by (i) deleting the word "primary" preceding the phrase "group
health insurance" and (ii) deleting the word "excluding" preceding the phrase
"Exec-U-Care or substitute benefits" and replacing it with the word "including".

        2. Amendment to Section 6.5(g). Section 6.5(g) of the Agreement is
hereby amended by (i) deleting the word "primary" preceding the phrase "group
health insurance" and (ii) deleting the word "excluding" preceding the phrase
"Exec-U-Care or substitute benefits" and replacing it with the word "including".

        3. Amendment to Section 7.2(g). Section 7.2(g) of the Agreement is
hereby amended by (i) deleting the word "primary" preceding the phrase "group
health insurance" and (ii) deleting the word "excluding" preceding the phrase
"Exec-U-Care or substitute benefits" and replacing it with the word "including".

        4. Confirmation. Except as amended pursuant to this Amendment, the terms
of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Amendment as of
the date first written above.

AMERISTAR CASINOS, INC.                     EXECUTIVE:

By: /s/ Gordon R. Kanofsky                  /s/ Peter C. Walsh
   -----------------------------------       -----------------------------------
Name:   Gordon R. Kanofsky                  PETER C. WALSH
Title:  Executive Vice President


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