Ameristar Casinos ultimately opened The Reserve on February 10, 1998, with an African safari/jungle theme, although the resort failed to generate a substantial profit.
Later that year, construction was stopped for three months when Ameristar accused Rebeil and Magliarditi of attempting to prevent Ameristar from issuing 7.5 million public stocks, which was to pay for the acquisition of Gem Gaming. In January 1997, Rebeil and Magliarditi were denied gaming licenses to operate the casino. Later in 1996, Ameristar Casinos planned to purchase Gem Gaming, and construction slowed to allow for an expanded redesign of the project, which was then expected to open between March and April 1997. Steve Rebeil and Dominic Magliarditi, both of Gem Gaming, were the project developers. Construction began later in 1995, and the project was topped off in May 1996, with an opening scheduled for October 1.
Gem Gaming announced the project in 1995, as The Reserve, with an opening planned for July 4, 1996.
