In In the Matter of Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. and Ameristar Casinos Inc., the Federal Trade Commission moved to block Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. from buying Ameristar Casinos Inc. for $2.8 billion. In the proposed transaction, Pinnacle was to acquire Ameristar’s portfolio of eight casino resort properties. The Commission moved to block the deal because it was concerned that it would increase prices and diminish quality for customers in St. Louis and Lake Charles, Louisiana. The deal would leave Pinnacle with only one significant competitor in those markets. The FTC also argued that the deal would make it easier for Pinnacle to raise prices by offering less favorable hold rates, rake rates, table game rules and odds, and lower player reinvestments. The agency also expressed concern that the deal would erode Pinnacle’s incentives to improve the quality of its service and other offerings in the St. Louis and Lake Charles areas.