Ameristar Casinos Inc. launched a $240 million expansion project at its St. Charles, Missouri casino to boost market share and better compete in the area. Work is under way on a 400-room, all-suite hotel, an indoor/outdoor swimming pool and spa, a 2,000-space parking garage and a 20,000 square-foot conference center.

The parking garage is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2006, and the hotel is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2007. In the third quarter, the St. Charles casino's operating income dipped 1.4 percent to $15.2 million from $15.4 million in the prior year's quarter.

Revenue, however, increased 3.6 percent to $71.4 million from $68.9 million in the same quarter last year. The company said its St. Charles casino increased its market share by 0.7 percent to 31.8 percent, and has led the St. Louis market for 10 of the last 12 quarters.