Matthew Block promoted to VP of Governmental Affairs for Ameristar Casinos

He will also continue to oversee the company’s lobbyists and other governmental and community affairs consultants and representatives. Block represents and advocates for the company in ten states and at the federal level. He will continue to report to Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs Troy Stremming.

Block came to Ameristar in December 2000 with the acquisition of Ameristar's two Missouri properties, Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City and Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles. At the time of the acquisition, he served as Assistant Cage Manager at the Kansas City property. He joined the Ameristar Kansas City Compliance Department in May 2002 and was promoted to the position of Director of that department shortly thereafter.  Block joined the corporate Governmental Affairs Department as a Director in June 2005, the position he held until this promotion.

“In addition to his other responsibilities, Matt played a major role in achieving passage of Proposition A in Missouri and Amendment 50 in Colorado,” Stremming said. “He is also very involved with all of the state gaming associations and chambers of commerce of which we are members, as well as the American Gaming Association and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.”

Block serves as a Trustee of the Nevada Independent Gaming Operators Association and is Chair of the Responsible Gaming Committee for the Missouri Gaming Association. In Kansas City, he also is a board member of Northland Health Care Access, a not-for-profit that seeks to ensure timely access to primary health care and preventive care services for the uninsured and underinsured.

Block holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Master of Science degree in business administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.