SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
           

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

Facing Page (Continued)

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).  Yes  X   No    

     The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $694,955,935 at July 4, 2002 and is based on a closing price of $18.70 and 37,163,419 common shares outstanding.

     At February 21, 2003, the registrant had outstanding 36,165,679 shares of its common stock, $.01 par value.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     Certain information contained in the registrant's 2003 definitive Proxy Statement, to be filed with the Commission, is incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. The following cross-referenced index details the location of such information. All other sections of the 2003 Proxy Statement are not required in Form 10-K and should not be considered a part thereof.

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Aztar Corporation was incorporated in Delaware in June 1989 to operate the gaming business of Ramada Inc. after the restructuring of Ramada Inc. The terms "Aztar", "we", "our", and "us", as used in this Form 10-K, refer to Aztar Corporation and its subsidiaries as a combined entity, except where it is clear that these terms mean only Aztar Corporation.

The restructuring of Ramada Inc. involved the disposition of Ramada Inc.'s hotel and restaurant businesses with Ramada Inc.'s shareholders retaining their interest in the gaming business. As part of the restructuring of Ramada Inc., the gaming business and certain other assets and liabilities of Ramada Inc. were transferred to Aztar, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of New World Hotels (U.S.A.), Inc. was merged with Ramada Inc. In this merger, each share of Ramada Inc. common stock was converted into the right to receive $1.00 and one share of Aztar common stock.

Aztar operates in major domestic gaming markets with casino hotel facilities in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada. Aztar operates riverboat casinos in Caruthersville, Missouri, and Evansville, Indiana. Aztar is an experienced developer and operator of casinos that provide an excellent gaming environment. Each of our casinos is designed and operated to serve the unique demographics of its particular market.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

You may obtain access, free of charge, to our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports through our internet website, www.aztar.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

TROPICANA ATLANTIC CITY

Tropicana Casino and Resort encompasses approximately 14 acres of land, including an adjoining development site, with 220 yards of ocean frontage along the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Tropicana Atlantic City features 1,624 hotel rooms and a 137,000-square-foot casino with 4,136 slot machines, 174 table games, a baccarat lounge and a poker room. This facility has parking facilities to accommodate 3,400 vehicles. Tropicana Atlantic City also features:

On April 22, 2002, we commenced construction on an expansion of our Tropicana Atlantic City. The expansion includes 502 additional hotel rooms, 20,000 square feet of meeting space, 2,400 parking spaces, and "The Quarter," the project's

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centerpiece, a 200,000-square-foot dining, entertainment and retail center. We anticipate opening by March 1, 2004. The cost of the expansion is targeted to be $225 million; we also anticipate providing $20 million of tenant allowances. Funds for the expansion will come in part from public sector subsidies, tax rebates and other credits, the present value of which could be up to $60 million. During 2002, our purchases of property and equipment on an accrual basis, including capitalized interest of $3.0 million, were $42.7 million for this expansion.

The Atlantic City gaming market has historically demonstrated continued growth despite the emergence of new gaming venues across the country. The 11 hotel casinos in Atlantic City generated approximately $4.4 billion in gaming revenues in 2002, a 2% increase over 2001. There are several infrastructure developments that have recently been completed or which are underway that may attract additional people to Atlantic City. These developments include new housing and retail development, an upgrade and expansion of the Atlantic City International Airport and a convention center with the largest exhibition space between New York and Washington, D.C.

The primary target market for Tropicana Atlantic City is the area consisting of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Based on census data, there are approximately 27 million persons within a 120-mile radius of Atlantic City and 62 million persons within a 300-mile radius. Several major casino operators have announced plans to develop projects or expand existing facilities in the marina or the boardwalk areas. The Borgata, a major casino resort located in the Marina District of Atlantic City, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2003. When the Borgata and other projects open they will create increased competition in Atlantic City. However, our view is that these new projects, if well-designed and executed, may also attract new patrons to the Atlantic City gaming market. If so, this will mitigate concern about the ultimate impact of those projects on our existing Atlantic City operations.

TROPICANA LAS VEGAS

Tropicana Resort and Casino is located on approximately 34 acres on the "Strip" in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Tropicana has 1,875 hotel rooms and suites and a 62,000-square-foot casino containing 1,437 slot machines and 32 table games. The facility also has parking to accommodate approximately 2,300 vehicles. Tropicana Las Vegas also features:

Together with the MGM Grand, Excalibur, Luxor, Monte Carlo and New York-New York mega-resorts, the Tropicana Las Vegas is located at the intersection known as the "New Four Corners" at Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. The Las Vegas gaming market consisted of approximately 127,000 hotel rooms at the end of 2002. Gaming revenues in Las Vegas were $6.0 billion in 2002 and 2001.

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Aztar leased the Tropicana Las Vegas, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, from an unconsolidated partnership, Tropicana Enterprises, a Nevada general partnership in which we had a noncontrolling 50% interest. On February 28, 2002, we purchased the 50% partnership interest that we did not own. After credits, we paid $117.5 million. In addition we assumed $48.9 million of partnership debt that we were servicing through our rent payments. We are conducting feasibility studies to master-plan a potential development of the Tropicana Las Vegas site. The amount and timing of any future expenditure, and the extent of any impact on existing operations, will depend on the nature and timing of the development we ultimately undertake, if any.

RAMADA EXPRESS

Ramada Express Hotel and Casino is located on approximately 31 acres in Laughlin, Nevada. Laughlin is situated on the Colorado River at Nevada's southern tip. The Ramada Express features a Victorian-era railroad theme, which includes a train that carries guests between the parking areas and the casino hotel. The property has 1,500 hotel rooms and a 52,000-square-foot casino containing 1,558 slot machines and 28 table games. The facility also has parking to accommodate 2,900 vehicles. Ramada Express also features:

The Laughlin gaming market consists of approximately 11,000 rooms and its gaming revenue for 2002 was $0.6 billion, a 1% increase over 2001.

CASINO AZTAR EVANSVILLE

Casino Aztar Evansville was the first gaming facility to open in Indiana. It operates on the Ohio River in Evansville. The facility encompasses approximately 15 acres and contains approximately 38,360 square feet of casino space with 1,360 slot machines and 54 table games. Casino Aztar Evansville has a 250-room hotel and has parking for 1,700 vehicles. The casino riverboat is certified to carry 2,700 passengers and a crew of 300. The 44,000-square-foot pavilion which accompanies the riverboat contains passenger ticketing and pre-boarding facilities, including:

Casino Aztar Evansville is located in the heart of metropolitan Evansville and has developed strong brand recognition in Southwest Indiana. The closest casino property is approximately 100 miles and over a two-hour drive away. Gaming revenue

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in the Southern Indiana market (five riverboats) grew by 13% in 2002 to $1.0 billion. Although we believe that Casino Aztar Evansville has a strong base of loyal customers, the property operates in a more competitive environment due to the opening in November 1998 of a riverboat near Louisville, Kentucky and the opening in late October 2000 of a riverboat in our outer market between Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. There is also increased competition as a result of dockside gaming being allowed in Illinois and the renovation of a riverboat in Metropolis, Illinois. The Indiana General Assembly passed legislation allowing flexible boarding that went into effect August 1, 2002. Dockside gaming increased accessibility to our casino riverboat by eliminating cruise schedules. This change incorporates a progressive wagering tax schedule and a change in admissions tax to $3.00 per entry from $3.00 per person per cruise. The new wagering tax schedule starts at 15% of casino revenue and rises to 20%, 25%, 30% and 35% based on incremental casino revenue and based on the state's fiscal year (July 1 of one year through June 30 of the following year).

CASINO AZTAR CARUTHERSVILLE

Casino Aztar Caruthersville operates on a 37-acre site on the Mississippi River in Caruthersville, Missouri. The property is located in the "boot heel" of Missouri in close proximity to I-55, the major north-south interstate running along the Mississippi River. It serves the southeast Missouri market including the neighboring states of Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. The casino riverboat has a capacity of 1,200 passengers plus crew and contains approximately 20,000 square feet of casino space with 705 slot machines and 14 table games. The facility has parking for 1,000 vehicles including recreational vehicles. The property's passenger pavilion provides ticketing and pre-boarding facilities, including:

In addition, a climate-controlled pavilion and an outdoor arena are used for exhibitions, entertainment, rodeo competitions and other events. We have some unused land at this site and we are encouraging third-party developers to develop facilities on this land that would complement our operations.

COMPETITION

We face intense competition in each of the markets in which our land-based gaming facilities are located. All of our casinos primarily compete with other casinos in their geographic markets and, to a lesser extent, with casinos in other locations, including on Native American lands and on cruise ships, and with other forms of legalized gaming in the United States, including state-sponsored lotteries, racetracks, off-track wagering and card parlors. We expect this competition to intensify as new gaming operators enter our markets and existing competitors expand their operations. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources than we and as a result we may not be able to successfully compete against them in the future. Several states have considered legalizing casino gaming and others may in the future. Legalization of large-scale, unlimited casino

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gaming in or near any major metropolitan area or increased gaming in other areas could have an adverse economic impact on the business of any or all of our gaming facilities by diverting our customers to competitors in those areas. In particular, the expansion of casino gaming in or near any geographic area from which we attract or expect to attract a significant number of our customers could have a material adverse effect on us.

Tropicana Atlantic City. Tropicana Atlantic City competes with 10 other casinos in Atlantic City. It also competes with two large Native American casinos in Connecticut. No new casinos have opened in Atlantic City since April 1990, but many of the existing casinos have increased their gaming capacities and a few casino hotels have had major expansions. Other companies have announced a desire to open new casino hotels or expand existing properties in Atlantic City in the future. Boyd Gaming Corporation and MGM Mirage have entered into a joint venture to construct a major casino resort called The Borgata to be located in Atlantic City's Marina District. The Borgata is scheduled to open in the summer of 2003 and will include 135,000 square feet of gaming space and 2,002 guest rooms. The Atlantic City market also faces additional future competition from the growing Native American casinos in Connecticut and the possibility of competition from the potential legalization of casino gaming in Delaware, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. In addition, slot machines have been added to race tracks in Delaware and West Virginia.

Tropicana Las Vegas. Tropicana Las Vegas operates in the intensely competitive Las Vegas market. Several major new casino hotels have opened on the Las Vegas Strip during the last several years, including Mandalay Bay, Venetian and Paris. Another major casino hotel, known as Aladdin, opened in mid-August 2000. Announcements have been made for other new developments. In addition, several casino hotels have opened or have been expanded in other parts of Las Vegas or near Las Vegas. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully with this additional capacity in this active market of mega-casinos.

Ramada Express. Ramada Express competes with several other casinos in Laughlin. Ramada Express also competes with casinos outside of Laughlin, including the Mojave tribe's casino hotel located approximately 8 miles south of Laughlin. The Laughlin market is also affected by the Native American casinos in Arizona and California and additional capacity in Las Vegas and the surrounding area.

Casino Aztar Evansville. Casino Aztar Evansville competes primarily with an Indiana riverboat in the Louisville, Kentucky market area that opened in November 1998 and which added a hotel in 2001 and a recently expanded riverboat casino in Metropolis, Illinois. Casino Aztar Evansville also indirectly competes with the Belterra Casino Resort, a hotel and riverboat casino in Switzerland County, Indiana. In addition, Casino Aztar Evansville competes with other Indiana riverboat casinos on the Ohio River in the Cincinnati, Ohio market area and to a lesser extent with riverboat casinos in other Indiana locations, none of which are in its primary 50-mile radius market area. Casino Aztar Evansville may face additional future competition from a potential eleventh Indiana riverboat license, which may be awarded in the West Baden area. This license was originally awarded to Lake Patoka but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will not allow a riverboat on the lake. There is also the potential for the legalization of casino gaming in Kentucky.

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Casino Aztar Caruthersville. Casino Aztar Caruthersville competes primarily with other riverboat casinos in nearby states, including a recently expanded riverboat in Metropolis, Illinois and riverboat casinos in Mississippi that attract residents of Casino Aztar Caruthersville's secondary Memphis, Tennessee market. Casino Aztar Caruthersville also competes to a lesser extent with riverboat casinos in other
cities in Missouri, none of which are in its primary 60-mile radius market area. Casino Aztar Caruthersville may also face additional future competition from the potential legalization of casino gaming in Arkansas.

General. Competition involves not only the quality of casino, room, restaurant, entertainment and convention facilities, but also room, food and beverage prices. The level of gaming activity also varies significantly from time to time depending on factors including:

As a result, our operating results can be adversely affected by significant cash outlays for advertising and promotion and complimentary services to patrons, the amount and timing of which are partially dictated by the policies of competitors. If our operating revenues are insufficient to allow management the flexibility to match the promotions of competitors, the number of our casino patrons may decline, which may have an adverse effect on our financial performance.

SEASONALITY

We experience significant fluctuations in our operating results due to seasonality. Tropicana Atlantic City experiences seasonal fluctuation in casino play that is higher during the months of May through October. As a result, Aztar's revenues during the first and fourth quarters have generally been lower than for the second and third quarters and from time to time Aztar has experienced losses in the first and fourth quarters. Because Atlantic City Tropicana's operating results especially depend upon operations in the summer months, any event that adversely affects the operating results of the Atlantic City Tropicana during that period

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could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. Given Atlantic City's location, it is also subject to occasional adverse weather conditions including storms and hurricanes that would impede access to Atlantic City and adversely impact our operations.

The gaming markets in Las Vegas and Laughlin experience a slight decrease in gaming activity in the hot summer months and during the holiday period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

PLAYER CREDIT

We conduct our gaming activities on a credit as well as a cash basis, except in Missouri, which prohibits gaming on a credit basis. Table games players are typically extended more credit than slot players, and high-stakes players are typically extended more credit than patrons who tend to wager lower amounts. Our credit policy varies from facility to facility based upon the various types of customers at each facility and regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction. In general, credit is extended to new credit customers after verification of certain banking information and evaluation of the customer's credit history from other casinos, the customer's income and net worth, and traditional consumer credit reports. Additional credit may be extended to existing credit customers after evaluating the above factors plus the player's prior gaming and credit history with our casino. Gaming debts are legally enforceable under the current laws of Indiana, New Jersey and Nevada; however, it is not clear that all other states or that foreign countries will honor these policies. At January 2, 2003, receivables due from non-United States customers were 14% of our accounts receivable before the allowance for doubtful accounts. We have made provisions for estimated uncollectible gaming receivables in order to reduce gaming receivables to amounts deemed to be collectible. However, our inability to collect gaming receivables could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

SECURITY AND SURVEILLANCE

Gaming operations at our casinos are also subject to risk of substantial loss as a result of employee or patron dishonesty, credit fraud or illegal slot machine manipulation. We have in place stringent control procedures to minimize these risks including supervision of employees, monitoring by electronic surveillance equipment and use of two-way mirrors. However, we cannot assure you that losses will not occur. In New Jersey, our activities are observed and monitored on an ongoing basis by agents of both the New Jersey Casino Control Commission and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, each of which maintains a staff on the premises of Tropicana Atlantic City. Similarly, in Nevada our gaming subsidiaries must comply with certain regulatory requirements concerning casino and game security and surveillance. The gaming operations of Tropicana Las Vegas and Ramada Express are subject to routine audit and supervision by agents of the Nevada State Gaming Control Board. In Missouri and Indiana, our casino riverboat operations are subject to the control procedures of the Missouri Gaming Commission and the Indiana Gaming Commission, respectively. The Missouri Gaming Commission maintains a staff at Casino Aztar Caruthersville and the Indiana Gaming Commission maintains a staff at Casino Aztar Evansville.

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REGULATION AND LICENSING

  General

Regulatory aspects of the gaming business are pervasive in nature and the following description should not be construed as a complete summary of all the regulatory requirements faced by Aztar. Gaming authorizations, once obtained, can be suspended or revoked for a variety of reasons. If Aztar is ever precluded from operating one of its gaming facilities, it would, to the extent permitted by law, seek to recover its investment by sale of the property affected, but Aztar cannot guarantee that it would recover its full investment.

From time to time, legislative and regulatory changes are proposed, and court decisions rendered, that could be adverse to Aztar. On June 18, 1999, the National Gambling Impact Study Commission released a report that could result in federal legislation regulating the gaming industry. In addition, from time to time, investigations are conducted relating to the gaming industry. Tropicana Atlantic City, Casino Aztar Caruthersville and Casino Aztar Evansville are required to report particular cash transactions to the U.S. Department of the Treasury pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act. Violation of the reporting requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act could result in civil as well as criminal penalties, including fines, imprisonment or both, which in turn could result in the revocation, suspension, imposition of conditions upon or failure to renew the casino license of the affected facility. The States of Nevada and Indiana have adopted regulations similar to the Bank Secrecy Act that require the Nevada and Indiana facilities to document and report specific currency transactions to the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and the Indiana Gaming Commission, respectively. Violation of these regulations could result in action by Nevada or Indiana authorities to fine or revoke, suspend, impose conditions upon or fail to renew the Nevada or Indiana facilities' licenses and Aztar's licensing approval. Except to the extent of a violation as noted above, these reporting requirements are not expected to have any adverse effects on Aztar's casino operations.

  Regulation and Licensing - Nevada

The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities in Nevada are subject to (a) the Nevada Gaming Control Act and the regulations promulgated under that Act, referred to collectively as the "Nevada Act" and (b) various local regulations. The gaming operations of the Tropicana Las Vegas and Ramada Express are subject to the licensing and regulatory control of the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and the Clark County Liquor and Gaming Licensing Board. Each of the Nevada Commission, Nevada Board and Clark County Board are collectively referred to as the "Nevada Gaming Authorities".

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The laws, regulations and supervisory procedures of the Nevada Gaming Authorities are based upon declarations of public policy which are concerned with, among other things:

Change in these or other laws, regulations and procedures that apply to Aztar could have an adverse effect on Aztar.

Hotel Ramada of Nevada is Aztar's wholly-owned subsidiary which operates the casino at Tropicana Las Vegas. Ramada Express, Inc. is Aztar's wholly-owned subsidiary which operates the Ramada Express casino in Laughlin. Hotel Ramada of Nevada and Ramada Express are both required to be licensed by the Nevada Gaming Authorities. The gaming licenses require the periodic payment of fees and taxes and are not transferable. Aztar is registered by the Nevada Commission as a publicly traded corporation ("Registered Corporation") and is therefore required periodically to submit detailed financial and operating reports to the Nevada Commission and furnish any other information which the Nevada Commission may require. No person may become a stockholder of, or receive any percentage of profits from, Hotel Ramada of Nevada or Ramada Express without first obtaining licenses and approvals from the Nevada Gaming Authorities. Aztar, Hotel Ramada of Nevada, and Ramada Express have obtained from the Nevada Gaming Authorities the various registrations, approvals, permits and licenses required in order to engage in gaming activities in Nevada.

The Nevada Gaming Authorities may investigate any individual who has a material relationship to, or material involvement with, Aztar, Hotel Ramada of Nevada or Ramada Express in order to determine whether the individual is suitable or should be licensed as a business associate of a gaming licensee. Officers, directors and some key employees of Hotel Ramada of Nevada and Ramada Express must file applications with the Nevada Gaming Authorities and may be required to be licensed or found suitable by the Nevada Gaming Authorities. Some officers, directors and key employees of Aztar who are actively and directly involved in gaming activities of Hotel Ramada of Nevada and Ramada Express may be required to be licensed or found suitable by the Nevada Gaming Authorities. The Nevada Gaming Authorities may deny an application for licensing or a finding of suitability for any cause which they deem reasonable. A finding of suitability is comparable to licensing, and both require submission of detailed personal and financial information followed by a thorough investigation. The applicant for licensing or a finding of suitability, or the gaming licensee by whom the applicant is employed or for whom the applicant serves, must pay all the costs of the investigation. Changes in licensed positions

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must be reported to the Nevada Gaming Authorities and in addition to their authority to deny an application for a finding of suitability or licensure, the Nevada Gaming Authorities have jurisdiction to disapprove a change in a corporate position.

If the Nevada Gaming Authorities were to find an officer, director or key employee unsuitable for licensing or unsuitable to continue having a relationship with Aztar, Hotel Ramada of Nevada or Ramada Express, the companies involved would have to sever all relationships with this person. In addition, the Nevada Commission may require Aztar, Hotel Ramada of Nevada or Ramada Express to terminate the employment of any person who refuses to file appropriate applications. Determinations of suitability or of questions pertaining to licensing are not subject to judicial review in Nevada.

Aztar, Hotel Ramada of Nevada and Ramada Express are required to submit detailed financial and operating reports to the Nevada Commission. Substantially all material loans, leases, sales of securities and similar financing transactions by Hotel Ramada of Nevada and Ramada Express must be reported to, or approved by, the Nevada Commission.

If it were determined that the Nevada Act was violated by Hotel Ramada of Nevada or Ramada Express, the gaming licenses held by Hotel Ramada of Nevada or Ramada Express could be limited, conditioned, suspended or revoked, subject to compliance with particular statutory and regulatory procedures. In addition, Hotel Ramada of Nevada, Ramada Express, Aztar and the persons involved could be subject to substantial fines for each separate violation of the Nevada Act at the discretion of the Nevada Commission. Further, a supervisor could be appointed by the Nevada Commission to operate Aztar's Nevada gaming properties and, under some circumstances, earnings generated during the supervisor's appointment (except for the reasonable rental value of Aztar's Nevada gaming properties) could be forfeited to the State of Nevada. Limitation, conditioning or suspension of any gaming license or the appointment of a supervisor could (and revocation of any gaming license would) materially adversely affect Aztar.

Any beneficial holder of Aztar's voting securities, regardless of the number of shares owned, may be required to file an application, be investigated, and have his suitability as a beneficial holder of Aztar's voting securities determined if the Nevada Commission has reason to believe that this ownership would otherwise be inconsistent with the declared policies of the State of Nevada. The applicant must pay all costs of investigation incurred by the Nevada Gaming Authorities in conducting this investigation.

The Nevada Act requires any person who acquires more than 5% of any class of Aztar's voting securities to report the acquisition to the Nevada Commission. The Nevada Act requires that beneficial owners of more than 10% of any class of Aztar's voting securities apply to the Nevada Commission for a finding of suitability within thirty days after the chairman of the Nevada Board mails the written notice requiring this filing. Under some circumstances, an "institutional investor," as defined in the Nevada Act, which acquires more than 10%, but not more than 15%, of Aztar's voting securities may apply to the Nevada Commission for a waiver of the finding of suitability if this institutional investor holds the voting securities for investment purposes only. An institutional investor will not be deemed to hold voting securities for investment purposes unless the voting securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business as an institutional investor and not for the purpose of causing, directly or indirectly,

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the election of a majority of the members of the board of directors of Aztar, any change in Aztar's corporate charter, bylaws, management, policies or operations of Aztar, or any of its gaming affiliates, or any other action which the Nevada Commission finds to be inconsistent with holding Aztar's voting securities for investment purposes only. Activities which are not deemed to be inconsistent with holding voting securities for investment purposes only include:

If the beneficial holder of voting securities who must be found suitable is a corporation, partnership or trust, it must submit detailed business and financial information including a list of beneficial owners. The applicant is required to pay all costs of investigation.

Under the Nevada Act and in certain circumstances, an "institutional investor" as defined in the Nevada Act, which intends to acquire not more than 15% of any class of nonvoting securities of a privately-held corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company that is also a registered holding or intermediary company or the holder of a gaming license, may apply to the Nevada Commission for a waiver of the usual prior licensing or finding of suitability requirement if such institutional investor holds such nonvoting securities for investment purposes only. An institutional investor shall not be deemed to hold nonvoting securities for investment purposes unless the nonvoting securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business as an institutional investor, do not give the institutional investor management authority, and do not, directly or indirectly, allow the institutional investor to vote for the election or appointment of members of the board of directors, a general partner or manager, cause any change in the articles of organization, operating agreement, other organic document, management, policies or operations, or cause any other action that the Nevada Commission finds to be inconsistent with holding nonvoting securities for investment purposes only. Activities that are not deemed to be inconsistent with holding nonvoting securities for investment purposes only include: (i) nominating any candidate for election or appointment to the entity's board of directors or equivalent in connection with a debt restructuring; (ii) making financial and other inquiries of management of the type normally made by securities analysts for informational purposes and not to cause a change in the entity's management, policies or operations; and (iii) such other activities as the Nevada Commission may determine to be consistent with such investment intent. If the beneficial holder of nonvoting securities who must be found suitable is a corporation, partnership or trust, it must submit detailed business and financial information including a list of beneficial owners. The applicant is required to pay all costs of investigation.

Any person who fails or refuses to apply for a finding of suitability or a license within thirty days after being ordered to do so by the Nevada Commission or the chairman of the Nevada Board, may be found unsuitable. The same restrictions apply to a record owner if the record owner, after request, fails to identify the

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beneficial owner. Any stockholder found unsuitable and who holds, directly or indirectly, any beneficial ownership of the common stock of a Registered Corporation beyond the period of time as may be prescribed by the Nevada Commission may be guilty of a criminal offense. Aztar is subject to disciplinary action if, after it receives notice that a person is unsuitable to be a stockholder or to have any other relationship with Aztar, Hotel Ramada of Nevada or Ramada Express, Aztar:

Additionally, the Clark County Board has taken the position that it has the authority to approve all persons owning or controlling the stock of any corporation controlling a gaming license.

The Nevada Commission may, in its discretion, require the holder of any debt security of a Registered Corporation, including Aztar, to file applications, be investigated and be found suitable to own the debt security of a Registered Corporation. If the Nevada Commission determines that a person is unsuitable to own the debt security, then pursuant to the Nevada Act, the Registered Corporation can be sanctioned, including the loss of its approvals, if without the prior approval of the Nevada Commission, it:

Aztar is required to maintain a current stock ledger in Nevada which may be examined by the Nevada Gaming Authorities at any time. If any securities are held in trust by an agent or by a nominee, the record holder may be required to disclose the identity of the beneficial owner to the Nevada Gaming Authorities. A failure to make such disclosure may be grounds for finding the record holder unsuitable. Aztar is also required to render maximum assistance in determining the identity of the beneficial owner. The Nevada Commission has the power to require Aztar's stock certificates to bear a legend indicating that the securities are subject to the Nevada Act. However, to date, the Nevada Commission has not imposed this requirement on Aztar.

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Aztar may not make a public offering of any securities without the prior approval of the Nevada Commission if the securities or the proceeds therefrom are intended to be used to construct, acquire or finance gaming facilities in Nevada, or to retire or extend obligations incurred for these purposes. This approval, if given, does not constitute a finding, recommendation or approval by the Nevada Commission or the Nevada Board as to the accuracy or adequacy of the prospectus or the investment merits of the securities offered. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.

On May 17, 2001, the Nevada Commission granted Aztar prior approval to make public offerings for a period of two years subject to some conditions (the "Shelf Approval"). However, the Shelf Approval may be rescinded for good cause without prior notice upon the issuance of an interlocutory stop order by the chairman of the Nevada Board. The Shelf Approval does not constitute a finding, recommendation or approval by the Nevada Commission or the Nevada Board as to the accuracy or adequacy of the prospectus or the investment merits of the securities offered. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.

Changes in control of Aztar through merger, consolidation, stock or asset acquisitions, management or consulting agreements, or any act or conduct by a person whereby he obtains control, may not occur without the prior approval of the Nevada Commission. Entities seeking to acquire control of a Registered Corporation must satisfy the Nevada Board and Nevada Commission in a variety of stringent standards prior to assuming control of the Registered Corporation. The Nevada Commission may also require controlling stockholders, officers, directors and other persons having a material relationship or involvement with the entity proposing to acquire control, to be investigated and licensed as part of the approval process relating to the transaction.

The Nevada legislature has declared that some corporate acquisitions opposed by management, repurchases of voting securities and corporate defense tactics affecting Nevada gaming licensees and Registered Corporations that are affiliated with those operations, may be injurious to stable and productive corporate gaming. The Nevada Commission has established a regulatory scheme to ameliorate the potentially adverse effects of these business practices upon Nevada's gaming industry and to further Nevada's policy to:

Approvals are, in some circumstances, required from the Nevada Commission before Aztar can make exceptional repurchases of voting securities above the current market price thereof and before a corporate acquisition opposed by management can be consummated. The Nevada Act also requires prior approval of a plan of recapitalization proposed by Aztar's board of directors in response to a tender offer made directly to the Registered Corporation's stockholders for the purposes of acquiring control of the Registered Corporation.

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License fees and taxes, computed in various ways depending on the type of gaming or activity involved, are payable to the State of Nevada and to the counties and cities in which the Nevada licensee's respective operations are conducted. Depending upon the particular fee or tax involved, these fees and taxes are payable either monthly, quarterly or annually and are based upon:

A casino entertainment tax is also paid by Hotel Ramada of Nevada and Ramada Express where entertainment is furnished in connection with the serving or selling of food, refreshments or merchandise in a cabaret, nightclub, cocktail lounge or casino showroom.

Any person who is licensed, required to be licensed, registered, required to be registered or is under common control with these persons (a "Licensee", or collectively, "Licensees"), and who proposes to become involved in a gaming venture outside of Nevada is required to deposit with the Nevada Board, and thereafter maintain, a revolving fund in the amount of $10,000 to pay the expenses of investigation of the Nevada Board of their participation in this foreign gaming. The revolving fund is subject to increase or decrease in the discretion of the Nevada Commission. Thereafter, Licensees are required to comply with specific reporting requirements imposed by the Nevada Act. Licensees are also subject to disciplinary action by the Nevada Commission if they knowingly violate any laws of the foreign jurisdiction pertaining to the foreign gaming operation, fail to conduct the foreign gaming operation in accordance with the standards of honesty and integrity required of Nevada gaming operations, engage in any activity or enter into any association that is unsuitable because it poses an unreasonable threat to the control of gaming in Nevada, reflects or tends to reflect discredit or disrepute upon the State of Nevada or gaming in Nevada, or is contrary to the gaming policies of Nevada, engage in any activity or enter into any association that interferes with the ability of the State of Nevada to collect gaming taxes and fees, or employ, contract with or associate with any person in the foreign gaming operation who has been denied a license or a finding of suitability in Nevada on the ground of personal unsuitability, or who has been found guilty of cheating at gambling.

The sale of alcoholic beverages by Hotel Ramada of Nevada and Ramada Express is subject to licensing, control and regulation by the Clark County Board. All licenses are revocable and are not transferable. The Clark County Board has full power to limit, condition, suspend or revoke any license, and any disciplinary action could (and revocation would) have a material adverse effect upon the operations of Aztar, Hotel Ramada of Nevada or Ramada Express.

  Regulation and Licensing - New Jersey

The ownership and operation of casino hotel facilities and gaming activities in Atlantic City, New Jersey, are subject to extensive state regulation under the New Jersey Casino Control Act, referred to as the "New Jersey Act," and the regulations of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, referred to as the "New Jersey Commission."

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The New Jersey Act and regulations concern primarily the financial stability and character of casino licensees, their intermediary and holding companies, their employees, their security holders and others financially interested in casino operations, the nature of hotel and casino facilities and a wide range of gaming and non-gaming related operations. The New Jersey Act and regulations include detailed provisions concerning, among other things:

The New Jersey Act also established the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, referred to as the "New Jersey Division," to investigate all license applications, enforce the provisions of the New Jersey Act and attendant regulations and prosecute all proceedings for violations of the New Jersey Act and regulations before the New Jersey Commission. The New Jersey Division also conducts audits and continuing reviews of all casino operations.

Adamar of New Jersey, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aztar, has been licensed (subject to quadrennial renewal) by the New Jersey Commission to operate Tropicana Atlantic City. In November 1982, the New Jersey Commission granted a plenary license to Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. In November 1999, the license was renewed for a period of four years. Aztar and Ramada New Jersey Holdings Corporation, another of Aztar's New Jersey gaming subsidiaries, have been approved as qualified holding companies for Adamar of New Jersey, Inc.'s casino license. Officers and directors of Aztar, Ramada New Jersey Holdings Corporation and Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. and employees who work at casino hotel facilities operated by Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. also have been or must be qualified, licensed or registered. In addition, all contracts affecting the facilities are subject to approval, and all enterprises that conduct business with Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. must register

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with the New Jersey Commission and those enterprises that conduct gaming related businesses or that conduct business on a regular and continuing basis, as defined by the regulations under the New Jersey Act, must be licensed by the New Jersey Commission.

The New Jersey Commission has broad discretion regarding the issuance, renewal, revocation and suspension of casino licenses. Casino licenses are not transferable. A casino hotel facility must also continually satisfy specific requirements concerning, among other things, the number of qualifying sleeping units and the relationship between the number of qualifying sleeping units and the square footage of casino space. Aztar believes that Tropicana Atlantic City continues to meet these requirements.

The New Jersey Act further provides that each person who directly or indirectly holds any beneficial interest or ownership of the securities issued by a casino licensee or any of its intermediary or holding companies, those persons who, in the opinion of the New Jersey Commission, have the ability to control the casino licensee or its intermediary or holding companies or elect a majority of the board of directors of said companies, other than a banking or other licensed lending institution which makes a loan or holds a mortgage or other lien acquired in the ordinary course of business, and lenders and underwriters of said companies may be required to seek qualification from the New Jersey Commission. However, because Aztar is a publicly traded holding company, in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Act, a waiver of qualification may be granted by the New Jersey Commission, with the concurrence of the director of the New Jersey Division, if it is determined that said persons or entities are not significantly involved in the activities of Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. and, in the case of security holders, do not have the ability to control Aztar or elect one or more of its directors. There exists a rebuttable presumption that any person holding 5% or more of the equity securities of a casino licensee's intermediary or holding company or a person having the ability to elect one or more of the directors of such a company has the ability to control the company and thus must obtain qualification from the New Jersey Commission.

Notwithstanding this presumption of control, the New Jersey Act provides for a waiver of qualification for passive "institutional investors," as defined by the New Jersey Act, if the institutional investor purchased the securities for investment purposes only and where the securities constitute:

The waiver of qualification is subject to some conditions including, upon request of the New Jersey Commission, filing a certified statement that the institutional investor has no intention of influencing or affecting the affairs of the issuer. A waiver of qualification may also be granted to institutional investors holding a higher percentage of securities of a casino licensee's holding or intermediary company upon a showing of good cause.

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If the institutional investor is granted a waiver and subsequently determines to influence or affect the affairs of the issuer, it must provide not less than 30 days notice of this intent and file with the New Jersey Commission an application for qualification before taking any action which may influence or affect the affairs of the issuer, except that an institutional investor holding voting securities will be permitted to vote on matters put to the vote of the holders of outstanding voting securities. If an institutional investor that has been granted a waiver subsequently changes its investment intent, or if the New Jersey Commission finds reasonable cause to believe that the institutional investor may be found unqualified, no action other than divestiture will be taken by the investor with respect to the security holdings until the investor complies with the provisions of the New Jersey Act concerning Interim Casino Authorization. The provisions of the New Jersey Act concerning Interim Casino Authorization provide that whenever a security holder of either equity or debt is required to qualify pursuant to the New Jersey Act, the security holder will, within 30 days after the New Jersey Commission determines that qualification is required or declines to waive qualification,

The New Jersey Act further requires that corporate licensees and their subsidiaries, intermediaries and holding companies adopt specific provisions in their certificates of incorporation that require some remedial action in the event that an individual owner of any security of such company is found disqualified under the New Jersey Act. The required certificate of incorporation provisions vary depending on whether the stock of the company subject to the requirements of the New Jersey Act is publicly or privately traded. Pursuant to the New Jersey Act, the certificate of incorporation of a publicly held company must provide that any securities of the corporation are held subject to the condition that if a holder is found to be disqualified by the New Jersey Commission pursuant to the New Jersey Act the holder will dispose of his interest in the company. The certificate of incorporation of a privately held company must create the absolute right of the company to repurchase at the market price or purchase price, whichever is the lesser, any security, share or other interest in the company in the event the New Jersey Commission disapproves a transfer in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Act.

Aztar is a publicly held company and, accordingly, a provision has been placed in its restated certificate of incorporation which provides that a holder of its securities must dispose of the securities if the holder is found disqualified under the New Jersey Act. In addition, Aztar's restated certificate of incorporation provides that it may redeem the stock of any holder found to be disqualified.

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If, at any time, it is determined that Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. has violated the New Jersey Act or regulations, or if any security holder of Aztar, Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. or Ramada New Jersey Holdings Corporation who is required to be qualified under the New Jersey Act is found disqualified but does not dispose of the securities, Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. could be subject to fines or its license could be suspended or revoked. If Adamar of New Jersey, Inc.'s license is revoked, the New Jersey Commission could appoint a conservator to operate and to dispose of any casino hotel facilities of Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. Net proceeds of a sale by a conservator and net profits of operations by a conservator (at least up to an amount equal to a fair return on Adamar of New Jersey, Inc.'s investment which is reasonable for casinos or hotels) would be paid to Adamar of New Jersey, Inc.

In addition to compliance with the New Jersey Act and regulations relating to gaming, any facility built in Atlantic City by Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. or any other subsidiary of Aztar must comply with the New Jersey and Atlantic City laws and regulations relating to, among other things, the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act, construction of buildings, environmental considerations, operation of hotels and the sale of alcoholic beverages.

The New Jersey Commission is authorized to establish fees for the issuance or renewal of casino licenses. Yearly casino hotel alcoholic beverage license fees are payable for each facility in any of five specified categories in any licensed casino hotel. There is also an annual license fee on each slot machine. The New Jersey Commission is also authorized by regulation to establish annual fees for the issuance and renewal of licenses other than casino licenses.

The New Jersey Act imposes an annual tax of eight percent on gross revenues (as defined in the New Jersey Act). In addition, casino licensees are required to invest one and one-quarter percent of gross casino revenues for the purchase of bonds to be issued by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority or make other approved investments equal to that amount; in the event the investment requirement is not met, the casino licensee is subject to a tax in the amount of two and one-half percent on gross revenues.

  Regulation and Licensing - Missouri

On November 3, 1992, a statewide referendum authorized gaming in the state of Missouri on the Missouri and the Mississippi Rivers. Local approval from the home dock municipality, as required by the legislation, was also obtained from the City of Caruthersville in the November 3, 1992 election. On April 29, 1993, Missouri enacted revised legislation (as amended, the "Missouri Gaming Law") which amended the existing legislation. The Missouri Gaming Law established the Missouri Gaming Commission, which is responsible for the licensing and regulation, and enforcement with respect to some aspects, of riverboat gaming in Missouri and has the discretion to approve license applications for riverboat gaming facilities as well as employees and key persons associated with the facilities. In July 1993, Aztar was chosen by the City of Caruthersville as the preferred applicant to develop a gaming facility, and on September 20, 1993, Aztar's subsidiary, Aztar Missouri Gaming Corporation, predecessor in interest to the current licensee, Aztar Missouri Riverboat Gaming Company, L.L.C. ("Aztar Missouri"), filed its initial application with the Missouri Gaming Commission. The Missouri Gaming Commission conducted a formal investigation of Aztar Missouri's application and granted an owner/operator gaming license to Aztar Missouri on April 26, 1995.

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In a decision handed down on January 25, 1994, the Missouri Supreme Court held that games of chance were prohibited under the Missouri constitution. On April 5, 1994, Missouri voters narrowly defeated the adoption of a constitutional amendment that would have excepted excursion boats and floating facilities from the constitutional prohibition on lotteries. Local voters did re-approve gaming in the City of Caruthersville in the April 5, 1994 election. Following the April 5, 1994 election, the Missouri legislature amended the existing Missouri Gaming Law to clarify some definitions and to resolve some constitutional questions raised in the Missouri Supreme Court decision. Pursuant to the Missouri Gaming Law, there are eleven operating riverboat gaming facility sites in Missouri: one in Caruthersville; one in Boonville; three in the St. Louis area; four in the Kansas City area; one in La Grange; and one in St. Joseph.

In a statewide election held on November 8, 1994, Missouri voters approved the adoption of an amendment to the Missouri Constitution which permits the legislature to allow games of chance to be conducted on excursion boats and floating facilities on the Mississippi River and the Missouri River. As a result of the amendment, full-scale gaming, subject to Missouri Gaming Law, is now available in Missouri.

Opponents of gaming in Missouri have brought several legal challenges to gaming in the past and may possibly bring similar challenges in the future. On November 25, 1997, the Missouri Supreme Court overturned a state lower court and held that a portion of the Missouri Gaming Law that authorized excursion gaming facilities in "artificial basins" up to 1,000 feet from the Mississippi or Missouri rivers was unconstitutional. This ruling created uncertainty as to the legal status of several excursion gaming riverboat facilities in the state; however, as Aztar Missouri facilities were fully on the Mississippi River, they did not appear to be affected. On November 3, 1998, a statewide referendum was held, whereby the voters amended the constitution to allow "artificial basins" for existing facilities, effectively overturning the above Missouri Supreme Court decision. There can be no assurances that any future challenges, if brought, would not further interfere with full-scale gaming operations in Missouri, including the operations of Aztar Missouri.

Under the Missouri Gaming Law, the ownership and operation of riverboat gaming facilities in Missouri are subject to extensive state and local regulation. Aztar, Aztar Missouri, any subsidiaries, and some of their officers and employees are and will be subject to specific regulations, including licensing requirements. As part of the application and licensing process for a gaming license, the applicant must submit detailed financial, operating and other reports to the Missouri Gaming Commission. Each applicant has an ongoing duty to update the information provided to the Missouri Gaming Commission in the application. Aztar Missouri has frequently updated its application materials since it was initially licensed. In addition to the information required of the applicant, directors, officers and other defined "key persons" (which include individuals designated by the Missouri Gaming Commission) must submit Personal Disclosure Forms, which include detailed personal financial information, and are subject to thorough investigations. In addition, some officers and directors of Aztar, as well as Aztar itself, have submitted Personal Disclosure Forms and applications to the Missouri Gaming Commission. All gaming employees must obtain an occupational license issued by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

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The operators' licenses (or "Class A" gaming licenses) are issued through application to the Missouri Gaming Commission, which requires, among other things:

License fees are a minimum of $50,000 for the initial application and $25,000 annually thereafter. Aztar Missouri's gaming license was renewed on April 25, 2001 and expires in April 2003. Aztar Missouri has submitted its relicensing application and will be required to undergo a full relicensing investigation and hearing in connection with its relicensing in 2003.

The Missouri Gaming Law regulations impose restrictions on the use and transfer of the gaming licenses as well as limitations on transactions engaged in by licensees. The licenses issued by the Missouri Gaming Commission may not be transferred nor pledged as collateral. The Missouri Gaming Law regulations bar a licensee from taking any of the following actions without prior notice to, and approval by, the Missouri Gaming Commission:

In addition, the licensee must notify the Missouri Gaming Commission of other transactions, including the transfer of five percent or more of an ownership interest in the licensee or holding company if publicly held and any transaction of at least $1,000,000. The restrictions on transfer of ownership apply to Aztar as well as the direct licensee, Aztar Missouri. Gaming equipment and corporate stock of some licensees may not be pledged except in narrow circumstances and subject to some regulatory conditions.

Missouri statutes and administrative rules contain detailed requirements concerning the operation of a licensed excursion gaming boat facility, including:

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Licensees also must submit monthly, quarterly and annual reports of financial and statistical data and quarterly and annual audited financial information and compliance reports to the Missouri Gaming Commission and pay the associated auditing fees. Other areas of operation which are subject to regulation under the Missouri rules are the color, denomination and handling of chips and tokens; the surveillance methods and computer monitoring of electronic games; accounting and audit methods and procedures; and approval of an extensive internal control system. The Missouri Gaming Commission requires comprehensive safety inspections and compliance with local and federal safety requirements. Liquor licenses are issued and regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission. The Missouri rules also require that all of an operator's purchases must be from suppliers licensed by the Missouri Gaming Commission or another entity approved by the Commission.

The Missouri Gaming Commission has the power, as well as broad discretion in exercising this power, to revoke or suspend gaming or occupational licenses and impose other penalties for violations of the Missouri Gaming Law and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including without limitation, forfeiture of all gaming equipment used for improper gaming and fines of up to three times a licensee's highest daily gross receipts during the preceding twelve months.

Although the Missouri Gaming Law provides no limit on the amount of riverboat space that may be used for gaming, the Missouri Gaming Commission is empowered to impose space limitations through the adoption of rules and regulations. In addition, the Missouri Gaming Law imposes a $500 loss limit per two-hour period established by each licensee with the approval of the Missouri Gaming Commission. In order to establish an excursion schedule, which allows patrons to enter and exit the gaming floor at any time during the excursion the licensee must prove to the Missouri Gaming Commission that it can enforce the $500 loss limit.

In addition, the Missouri Gaming Commission is empowered to determine on a city and county-specific basis where "dockside" or permanently-docked gaming is appropriate and may be permitted. The Missouri Gaming Commission has authorized all eleven licensed sites to operate all or a portion of their facilities on a continuously docked basis. On February 15, 1996, the Commission granted Aztar Missouri the authority to operate gambling games on part of its floating facility previously used for non-gaming activities, including ticketing, under the continuous docking provision of the Missouri Gaming Law. On February 15, 1997, the Commission granted Aztar Missouri the authority to permanently dock the excursion gambling riverboat facility known as the "City of Caruthersville."

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  Regulation and Licensing - Indiana

The ownership and operation of riverboat casinos in specific designated waters are subject to extensive state regulation under the Indiana Riverboat Gambling Act (the "Indiana Act") and regulations which the Indiana Gaming Commission ("Indiana Commission") is authorized to adopt under the Indiana Act. The Indiana Act extends broad and pervasive regulatory powers and authority to the Indiana Commission. The Indiana Act and the regulations of the Indiana Commission are significant to Aztar's prospects for successfully operating its riverboat casino and associated developments based in Evansville, Indiana.

The Indiana Commission has issued

The Indiana Commission has not considered applicants for a license on Patoka Lake in Southwestern Indiana, since that site has been determined by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to be unsuitable for a riverboat casino project. A licensee may own no more than a 10% interest in any other owner's license under the Indiana Act. The Indiana Commission has adopted regulations under the Indiana Act which covers numerous operational matters concerning riverboat casinos licensed by the Commission, including rules for

Aztar, through an Indiana subsidiary, Aztar Indiana Gaming Corporation, has received from the Indiana Commission a riverboat owner's license for the Evansville, Indiana market. Aztar Indiana Gaming Corporation completed requirements for formal licensing and commenced operations in Evansville on December 7, 1995. On August 20, 1999, the Indiana Commission authorized a transfer of the assets of Aztar Indiana Gaming Corporation, including the riverboat owner's license, to Aztar Indiana Gaming Company, L.L.C. ("Aztar Indiana"), a recently-formed limited liability company, in which Aztar Riverboat Holding Company, L.L.C. owns all of the membership interests. Aztar Riverboat Holding Company, L.L.C. is 100% owned by Aztar through wholly-owned subsidiaries. On December 31, 1999, Aztar Indiana Gaming Corporation transferred its assets and riverboat owner's license to Aztar Indiana.

A riverboat owner's license has an initial effective period of five years but is subject to an annual renewal thereafter. The Indiana Commission has broad discretion with respect to the initial issuance of licenses and also with respect

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to the renewal, revocation, suspension and control of riverboat owner's licenses. The Indiana Act requires a reinvestigation after three years to ensure the owner continues to be suitable for licensure. On December 7, 2000, the Indiana Commission made a preliminary determination to renew Aztar Indiana's riverboat owner's license until such time as Aztar Indiana has an opportunity to make a presentation to the Indiana Commission at a regular business meeting. On March 2, 2001, the Indiana Commission renewed Aztar Indiana's riverboat owner's license for a period of one year with an annual review. On December 6, 2001, the Indiana Commission renewed Aztar Indiana's riverboat owner's license for a period of one year, from December 8, 2001 to December 7, 2002. On November 15, 2002, the Indiana Commission renewed Aztar Indiana's riverboat owner's license for a period of one year, from December 5, 2002, to December 4, 2003. The Indiana Commission has adopted a rule which requires, in the event a riverboat owner's license is terminated, the riverboat licensee to secure all the assets of the riverboat gambling operation, and the licensee may not dispose of any of these assets without the written approval of the Indiana Commission. Officers, directors and principal owners of the actual license holder and employees who are to work on the riverboat are subject to substantial disclosure requirements as a part of securing and maintaining necessary licenses. Significant contracts are subject to disclosure.

A riverboat owner licensee may not enter into or perform any contract or transaction in which it transfers or receives consideration which is not commercially reasonable or which does not reflect the fair market value of the goods or services rendered or received. All contracts are subject to disapproval by the Indiana Commission. Suppliers of gaming equipment and materials must also be licensed under the Indiana Act.

The Indiana Act requires licensees to disclose to the Indiana Commission the identity of all directors, officers and persons holding direct or indirect beneficial interests of 1% or greater. The Indiana Commission also requires a broad and comprehensive disclosure of financial and operating information on licensees and their principal officers. Aztar has provided full information and documentation to the Indiana Commission and it must continue to do so during the term of the license. The Indiana Act prohibits, among other things:

The Indiana Commission has adopted a rule requiring quarterly reporting by the holder of a riverboat owner's license, including Aztar Indiana, or a holder of a supplier's license, of the officers of the licensee, officers of persons that hold at least a 1% interest in the licensee, including Aztar, and of persons who directly or indirectly own a 1% interest in the licensee, including beneficial owners of Aztar.

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The Indiana Commission has adopted rules which (a) prohibit the distribution by a riverboat licensee, including Aztar Indiana, to its partners, shareholders, itself, or any affiliated entity, if the distribution would impair the financial viability of the riverboat gambling operation, (b) require riverboat licensees, including Aztar Indiana, to maintain on a quarterly basis a cash reserve in the amount of the actual payout for three days, and the cash reserve would include cash in the casino cage, cash in a bank account in Indiana, or cash equivalents not committed or obligated, and (c) require independent financial audits annually by firms licensed in Indiana and approved by the Executive Director of the Indiana Commission of riverboat licensees, including Aztar Indiana, and disclosure to the Indiana Commission of material errors and irregularities, or illegal acts, or significant deficiencies discovered during the course of the audit.

In addition to receiving a license to conduct riverboat casino operations from the Indiana Commission, Aztar Indiana has secured permits and approvals from the United States Army Corps of Engineers to develop the facilities it is using to conduct operations. Aztar Indiana has received three alcoholic beverage permits which are subject to annual renewal: one for the riverboat and two for land support facilities. All building permits and other approvals for the permanent facilities have been received, and the project is complete.

The Indiana General Assembly amended the Indiana Riverboat Gaming Act in 2002 to allow riverboats to choose between continuing to conduct excursions or operate dockside. The Indiana Commission authorized riverboats to commence dockside operations on August 1, 2002. Aztar opted to operate dockside and commenced dockside operations on August 1, 2002. Pursuant to the legislation, the tax rate was increased from 20% to 22.5% during any time an Indiana riverboat does not operate dockside. For those riverboats that operate dockside, the following graduated tax rate is applicable: (i) 15% of the first $25 million of adjusted gross receipts ("AGR"), (ii) 20% of AGR in excess of $25 million, but not exceeding $50 million; (iii) 25% of AGR in excess of $50 million, but not exceeding $75 million; (iv) 30% of AGR in excess of $75 million, but not exceeding $150 million; and (v) 35% of AGR in excess of $150 million. AGR is based on the State's fiscal year (July 1 of one year through June 30 of the following year). The Indiana Act requires that riverboat licensees pay a $3.00 admission tax for each person. A riverboat that opts to continue excursions pays the admission tax on a per excursion basis while a riverboat that operates dockside pays the admission tax on a per entry basis. The Indiana Act provides for the suspension or revocation of a license whose owner does not timely submit the wagering or admission tax.

Effective July 1, 2002, riverboats must withhold adjusted gross state income tax from slot winnings of $1,200 or more and Keno winnings of $1,500 or more. Riverboats are assessed for property tax purposes as real property at rates to be determined by local taxing authorities. Sales on a riverboat are subject to applicable use, excise and retail taxes. The Indiana Act requires a riverboat owner licensee to directly reimburse the Indiana Commission for the costs of inspectors and agents required to be present during the conduct of gaming operations. Effective July 1, 2002, each riverboat must contribute $25,000 annually to the Indiana Department of Gaming Research.

The Indiana Act places special emphasis upon minority and women's business enterprise participation in the riverboat industry. Any person issued a riverboat owner's license must establish goals of at least 10% of the total dollar value of the licensee's contracts for goods and services with minority business enterprises and 5% of the total dollar value of the licensee's contracts for goods and services

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with women's business enterprises. In October 2002, the Indiana Department of Administration published proposed rules, which if adopted and applied to riverboat owner licensees, could restrict new applicants for certification as either minority or women's business enterprises or could jeopardize current certifications of such enterprises. The Indiana Commission may suspend, limit or revoke the owner's license or impose a fine for failure to comply with the statutory requirements.

Minimum and maximum wagers on games on the riverboat are left to the discretion of the licensee. Wagering may not be conducted with money or other negotiable currency. No person under the age of 21 is permitted to wager on a riverboat. It is a Class A misdemeanor for a person to aid, induce or cause a person under the age of 21 to enter or attempt to enter a riverboat.

An institutional investor which acquires 5% or more of any class of voting securities of a holding company of a licensee is required to notify the Indiana Commission and to provide additional information, and may be subject to a finding of suitability. A person who acquires 5% or more of any class of voting securities of a holding company of a licensee is required to apply to the Indiana Commission for a finding of suitability. A riverboat licensee or an affiliate may not enter into a debt transaction of $1 million or more without approval of the Indiana Commission.

A riverboat owner's license is a revocable privilege and is not a property right under the Indiana Act. A riverboat owner licensee or any other person may not lease, hypothecate, borrow money against or loan money against a riverboat owner's license.

  Environmental Matters

Aztar is subject to federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and ordinances that (a) govern activities or operations that may have adverse environmental effects, such as discharges to air and water as well as handling and disposal practices for solid and hazardous wastes, and (b) impose liability for the costs of cleaning up, and some damages resulting from, past spills, disposals or other releases of hazardous substances. Aztar uses some substances and generates some wastes that are regulated or may be deemed hazardous under applicable environmental laws. From time to time, our operations have resulted, or may result, in some noncompliance with applicable requirements under environmental laws. Aztar has also incurred, and in the future may incur, costs related to cleaning up contamination relating to historical uses of some of our current or former properties. Specifically, the riverboat properties have been used for various industrial purposes in the past. Any noncompliance with applicable requirements or liability under environmental laws has not had, and is not expected to have, a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

  Other Regulations

Aztar's businesses are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations in addition to those discussed above. These laws and regulations include but are not limited to restrictions and conditions concerning employees, taxation, zoning and building codes, and marketing and advertising. Such laws and regulations could change or could be interpreted differently in the future, or new laws and regulations could be enacted. Material changes, new laws or regulations, or material differences in interpretations by courts or governmental authorities could adversely affect Aztar.

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EMPLOYEES

Aztar employs approximately 9,700 people. Approximately 3,300 Aztar employees are represented by unions. Of the approximately 4,700 employees at Tropicana Atlantic City, approximately 2,000 are covered by collective bargaining contracts. Substantially all of these employees are covered by a contract that expires on September 14, 2004 and a small number are covered by contracts that expire in 2005 or 2006. At Tropicana Las Vegas, approximately 1,300 of the 2,000 employees are covered by collective bargaining contracts. Approximately 1,100 of these employees are covered by contracts that expired on May 31, 2002. The remainder of employees are covered by contracts that expire in 2003, 2004 or 2005. Tropicana Las Vegas continues to negotiate with the Culinary Workers Union for renewal of the collective bargaining agreement that expired on May 31, 2002, covering approximately 1,000 employees who are employed as guest room attendants or in food and beverage and other hotel classifications. Tropicana has agreed in principle to the terms of an agreement reached between the union and other casino hotels in Las Vegas, and Tropicana has been paying the increases for health care and pension benefits provided for in that agreement. The issues that remain unresolved relate primarily to a possible redevelopment of Tropicana Las Vegas.

At Ramada Express there are approximately 1,500 employees, none of which are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Aztar has approximately 1,200 employees and 300 employees, respectively, at Casino Aztar Evansville and Casino Aztar Caruthersville, none of which are covered by collective bargaining agreements.

TRADEMARKS

We use a variety of trade names, service marks and trademarks and believe that we have all the licenses necessary to conduct our business. We have registered several service marks and trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or otherwise acquired the licenses to use those which are material to the conduct of our business.

Substantially all of our trademarks and service names have been assigned to the lenders under Aztar's bank credit facility.

Ramada Inc. has licensed Aztar to use the name "Ramada" in conjunction with the operation of Ramada Express, and will not use or permit the use of the name "Ramada" in Laughlin, Nevada by any other person or entity.

We have registered the following important trademarks or service marks: Aztar, Casino Aztar, Trop, Tropicana, Trop Park, and The Island of Las Vegas. Aztar believes there are no other trademarks or service marks the use of which is material to the conduct of our business as a whole.

CATASTROPHIC EVENTS

Certain catastrophic events such as major fires, floods, storms, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tidal waves, civil disorders, riots, biological attacks, war, acts of sabotage or terrorism or other similar events could result in a significant negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

     TROPICANA ATLANTIC CITY

Tropicana Atlantic City is located on an approximately 10-acre site in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In addition, we have approximately 3 1/2 acres next to our operating site that we are using for expansion of our Tropicana Atlantic City. In July 1993, Tropicana Atlantic City became wholly-owned by Aztar.

     TROPICANA LAS VEGAS

Tropicana Las Vegas is located on a 34-acre site in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tropicana Enterprises owned the Tropicana Las Vegas and leased it to Hotel Ramada of Nevada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aztar. Hotel Ramada of Nevada operated the casino and hotel under the lease. Adamar of Nevada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aztar, owned a noncontrolling 50% general partnership interest in Tropicana Enterprises. The remaining 50% general partnership interest in Tropicana Enterprises was held by various trusts associated with the Jaffe family. On February 28, 2002, we purchased the 50% partnership interest that we did not own and Tropicana Las Vegas became wholly-owned by Aztar. We are conducting feasibility studies to master-plan a potential development of the Las Vegas Tropicana site. The amount and timing of any future expenditure, and the extent of any impact on existing operations, will depend on the nature and timing of the development that we ultimately undertake, if any.

     RAMADA EXPRESS

Ramada Express is located on an approximate 31-acre site in Laughlin, Nevada. Ramada Express is wholly-owned by Aztar.

     CASINO AZTAR EVANSVILLE

Casino Aztar Evansville operates on and from a base 8-acre site next to the Ohio River in downtown Evansville, Indiana. Approximately 4 1/2 acres are leased. The lease was entered into in 1995 for 10 years. The lease has 3 options to renew for 5 years each. The remaining approximately 3 1/2 acres are wholly-owned by us. In addition, we have a seven-acre site located near our base site that we are using for parking. This site could be used for additional development. On December 27, 2002, we amended our riverboat landing lease agreement with the City of Evansville. We agreed to change a portion of our contingent rent into a fixed stated amount and to make it available to the City at their request. The City agreed to provide us with $1 of credit against our rent for each $2.50 of development capital expenditures that we make. Therefore, we are preparing plans for development in Evansville.

     CASINO AZTAR CARUTHERSVILLE

Casino Aztar Caruthersville operates on and from a 37-acre site next to the Mississippi River in downtown Caruthersville, Missouri. The site and facilities are wholly-owned by us. We have some unused land at this site and we are encouraging third-party developers to develop facilities on this land that would complement our operations.

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     GENERAL

We lease our corporate headquarters located in Phoenix, Arizona and own or lease some other facilities which are not material to our operations.

Substantially all land, casino hotel buildings, casino riverboats, pavilions, furnishings and equipment owned by us are pledged as collateral under our revolving credit facility.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Aztar is a defendant in an action originally filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division entitled William H. Poulos, On Behalf of Himself and All Others Similarly Situated vs. Caesars World, Inc., et al., filed on April 26, 1994. This action was consolidated with another subsequently filed action in that court entitled William Ahearn, On Behalf of Himself and All Others Similarly Situated vs. Caesars World, Inc., et al., currently consolidated Case No. CV-S-94-1126-DAE(RJJ)-BASE FILE (the "Actions" or collectively, the "Poulos/Ahearn Case"). Both Actions were brought under RICO and state common law and seek compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $1 billion from the defendants. The complaints allege that the defendants took part in a scheme intended to induce people to play video poker and electronic slot machines based on false beliefs concerning how those machines actually operate as well as the extent to which there is actually an opportunity to win on any given play. The precise nature of Aztar's role in the alleged fraud and conspiracy to defraud is not discernible from the complaint.

On September 26, 1995, an action entitled Larry Schreier, On Behalf of Himself and All Others Similarly Situated vs. Caesars World, Inc., et al., Case No. CV-S-95-00923-DWH(RJJ)(the "Schreier Case") was commenced in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada. The Schreier Case is identical to the Poulos/Ahearn Case in all material respects, except that the named plaintiff in the Schreier Case purports to represent a smaller and more precisely defined class of persons than the plaintiffs in the Poulos/Ahearn Case. The defendants (including Aztar) moved to dismiss the Schreier complaint on the same grounds as in the previously described Poulos/Ahearn Case, as well as on the ground that this case was filed for an improper purpose, an attempt to circumvent prior rulings of the Court in the Poulos/Ahearn Case. On August 15, 1996, District Judge Lloyd D. George granted the motion to dismiss, without prejudice. An amended complaint containing the same principal allegations was filed on September 30, 1996. The defendants (including Aztar) filed motions to dismiss the amended complaint for failure to state a claim and on other grounds. The Plaintiff opposed these motions.

The Poulos/Ahearn Case and the Schreier Case were consolidated, as was the action entitled William H. Poulos, On Behalf of Himself and All Others Similarly Situated vs. Ambassador Cruise Lines, Inc., et al., Case No. CV-S-95-936 LDG(RLH)(the "Cruise Ship Case"). (The allegations in the Cruise Ship Case are nearly identical to those made in the Poulos/Ahearn and Schreier cases, and are made against a group of defendants consisting of several manufacturers and distributors of gaming devices, as well as numerous cruise ship operators and companies which operate cruise ship casinos.) The Poulos/Ahearn Case, the Schreier Case and the Cruise Ship Case are collectively referred to as the "Consolidated Cases."

On February 14, 1997, the Plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint in the Consolidated Cases. On March 21, 1997, the Defendants moved to dismiss the

30

consolidated amended complaint for failure to state a claim and on other grounds. The Plaintiffs opposed these motions. The defendants filed reply memoranda in support of the motions. The motions were argued on November 3, 1997.

On December 19, 1997, the court entered orders deciding the motions in the Consolidated Cases. The substance of those orders is as follows:

     1.   The motion to dismiss was granted as to the "wire fraud" allegation in the RICO claim; the balance of the motion to dismiss the RICO claims was denied.

     2.   The motion to strike some parts of the consolidated amended complaint was granted in part.

     3.   The remaining motions (to dismiss and to stay or abstain) were denied.

     4.   The plaintiffs were permitted to delete Mr. Ahearn, and add Ms. McElmore as a class representative.

The plaintiffs in the Consolidated Cases filed a second consolidated amended complaint on January 9, 1998. The Second Consolidated Amended Complaint contains claims which are nearly identical to those in the previously dismissed complaints. The defendants answered, denying the substantive allegations of the Second Consolidated Amended Complaint. On March 18, 1998, the plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification. On March 19, 1998, the Magistrate Judge granted defendants' motion seeking to bifurcate discovery into "class" and "merits" phases, and to stay "merits" discovery pending a decision on plaintiffs' motion for class certification. On August 7, 1998, the defendants filed their opposition to the motion for class certification. The plaintiffs' reply memorandum was filed on August 25, 1998, and the matter was submitted to the judge for decision. On January 26, 2001, the plaintiffs filed a supplement to their motion for class certification. The defendants have filed a supplement to their memorandum in opposition to class certification and the plaintiffs filed their reply. The hearing on the motion for class certification was held on November 15, 2001. A status conference was held on March 27, 2002. At the status conference, Judge Ezra advised the parties of the following:

On April 9, 2002, the actions were re-assigned to Judge Roger Hunt. The new case number is CV-S-94-1126-RLH(RJJ). By order entered June 26, 2002, the District Court denied the plaintiffs' motion for class certification and on July 11, 2002, the plaintiffs filed a motion with the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit seeking permission to appeal the order denying class certification. By order dated August 15, 2002, the Ninth Circuit granted permission for the plaintiffs to appeal the order denying class certification. The matter was referred to the Ninth Circuit's mediation and settlement program.

31

On December 10, 2002, the plaintiffs made a settlement offer. That offer, which would have entailed the payment (in various forms) of hundreds of millions of dollars by the defendants, was rejected by letter dated January 3, 2003. No counter offer was made. The parties are in the process of establishing a briefing schedule in the Ninth Circuit.

We believe that plaintiffs' allegations are without merit, and we intend to defend the actions vigorously.

We are a party to various claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business or asserted by way of defense or counterclaim in actions filed by us. Management believes that its defenses are substantial in each of these matters and that our legal posture can be successfully defended or satisfactorily settled without material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The registrant has elected not to include information concerning its executive officers in its 2003 Proxy Statement, as allowed by the Proxy Statement instructions. The registrant relies on General Instruction G(3) of this report on Form 10-K in presenting the following information on its executive officers.

Paul E. Rubeli. Mr. Rubeli joined Ramada Inc. in 1979 as group vice president, industrial operations. He served as executive vice president, gaming, of Ramada Inc. from 1982 to December 1989, when he was appointed president and chief operating officer of Aztar. He was appointed president and chief executive officer in February 1990 and was appointed chairman of the board in addition to his other positions in February 1992. In May 2002, Mr. Rubeli relinquished his duties as president of Aztar and continued his positions as chief executive officer and chairman of the board.

32

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT (continued)

Robert M. Haddock. Mr. Haddock joined Ramada Inc. in 1980 and held various positions before becoming executive vice president and chief financial officer in March 1987, serving in that capacity until 1989, when he assumed the same position with Aztar. Mr. Haddock was appointed president of Aztar in May 2002 and continued his position as chief financial officer.

Nelson W. Armstrong, Jr. Mr. Armstrong joined Ramada Inc. in 1973 as an accounting supervisor and held various positions on the corporate accounting staff, serving as vice president and controller, of Ramada Inc. In 1989, Mr. Armstrong became vice president and controller of Aztar until he was appointed vice president, administration, and secretary of Aztar in March 1990.

Joe C. Cole. Mr. Cole joined Ramada Inc. in March 1988 as vice president, corporate communications, after having been affiliated with Phoenix Newspapers Inc. for 26 years as a reporter, columnist and editor. He became vice president, corporate communications of Aztar in 1989.

Meridith P. Sipek. Mr. Sipek joined Ramada Inc.'s corporate accounting staff in 1977 as a manager and held various positions in corporate and hotel accounting, serving as hotel group controller, before being named assistant corporate controller. Mr. Sipek became Aztar's assistant corporate controller in 1989 and he was appointed controller in March 1990.

Neil A. Ciarfalia. Mr. Ciarfalia joined Aztar in 1995 as treasurer. Prior to joining Aztar, Mr. Ciarfalia spent 11 years with the commercial aircraft division of Saab-Scania AB. During that time, he served Saab as president of the various divisional finance companies which arranged or provided financing for the acquisition of Saab aircraft and related products.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Aztar had 6,833 shareholders of record as of February 21, 2003.

The additional information required by this Item 5 is included in this report on pages F-21, F-34, F-36 and F-50.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The information required by Item 6 is included in this report on pages F-50 and F-51.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information required by Item 7 is included in this report on pages F-36 through F-49.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information required by Item 7A is included in this report on pages F-46 and F-47 under the caption "Market Risk".

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statements and Schedules on page F-1.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference to the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A cross-referenced index is located on the facing page of this report.

Information concerning the registrant's executive officers is presented above under a separate caption in Part I of this report.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A cross-referenced index is located on the facing page of this report.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table provides information at January 2, 2003 with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the registrant are authorized for issuance.

34

The additional information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A cross-referenced index is located on the facing page of this report.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

None.

ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Within 90 days prior to the date of this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS

There have not been any significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation. There were no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, and therefore no corrective actions were taken.

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

35

For the purposes of complying with the amendments to the rules governing Form S-8 (effective July 13, 1990) under the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows, which undertaking shall be incorporated by reference into registrant's Registration Statements on Form S-8 No. 33-32399, No. 33-44794, No. 333-79297 and No. 333-64952 (filed January 5, 1990, December 24, 1991, May 26, 1999 and July 12, 2001, respectively):

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

36

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

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38

39

40

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Aztar Corporation:


In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and shareholders' equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Aztar Corporation and Subsidiaries (the "Company") at January 2, 2003 and January 3, 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 2, 2003 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company ceased amortization of certain intangible assets effective January 4, 2002.







PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP




Phoenix, Arizona
January 31, 2003

F-2

AZTAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS    
(in thousands, except share data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-3

AZTAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
(in thousands, except share data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-4

AZTAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Years Ended January 2, 2003, January 3, 2002 and December 28, 2000
(in thousands, except per share data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-5

AZTAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended January 2, 2003, January 3, 2002 and December 28, 2000
(in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-6

AZTAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
For the Years Ended January 2, 2003, January 3, 2002 and December 28, 2000
(in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-7

AZTAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
For the Years Ended January 2, 2003, January 3, 2002 and December 28, 2000
(in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-8

AZTAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the Years Ended January 2, 2003, January 3, 2002 and December 28, 2000
(in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-9

AZTAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (continued)
For the Years Ended January 2, 2003, January 3, 2002 and December 28, 2000
(in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-10

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Consolidated Statements

Aztar Corporation ("Aztar" or "Company") was incorporated in Delaware in June 1989 to operate the gaming business of Ramada Inc. ("Ramada") after the restructuring of Ramada ("Restructuring"). The Restructuring involved the disposition of Ramada's hotel and restaurant businesses with Ramada's shareholders retaining their interest in the gaming business. As part of the Restructuring, the gaming business and certain other assets and liabilities of Ramada were transferred to Aztar, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of New World Hotels (U.S.A.), Inc. was merged with Ramada ("Merger"). In the Merger, each share of Ramada common stock was converted into the right to receive $1.00 and one share of Aztar common stock.

The Company operates casino hotels in Atlantic City, New Jersey and Las Vegas, Nevada, under the Tropicana name and in Laughlin, Nevada, as Ramada Express. The Company operates casino riverboats in Caruthersville, Missouri and Evansville, Indiana under the Casino Aztar name. A substantial portion of the Company's consolidated revenues and assets is concentrated at the Atlantic City Tropicana.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aztar and all of its controlled subsidiaries and partnerships. All subsidiary companies are wholly owned. In consolidating, all material intercompany transactions are eliminated. The Company uses a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Thursday nearest December 31, which included 52 weeks in 2002, 53 weeks in 2001 and 52 weeks in 2000.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 143, "Accounting for Obligations Associated with the Retirement of Long-Lived Assets." The objectives of SFAS 143 are to establish accounting standards for the recognition and measurement of an asset retirement obligation and its associated asset retirement cost. SFAS 143 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. Based upon a preliminary review, the Company has no asset retirement obligation at January 2, 2003.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents. These instruments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value because of their short maturity.

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments purchased with an original maturity of over three months but less than one year are stated at cost, which approximates fair value because of their short maturity. There were no short-term investments at January 2, 2003 or January 3, 2002.

F-11

Inventories

Inventories, which consist primarily of food, beverage and operating supplies, are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Costs are determined using the first-in, first-out method.

Advertising Costs

Costs for advertising are expensed as incurred, except costs for direct-response advertising, which are capitalized and amortized over the period of the related program. Direct-response advertising costs consist primarily of mailing costs associated with direct-mail programs. Capitalized advertising costs, included in prepaid expenses, were immaterial at January 2, 2003 and January 3, 2002. Advertising costs that were expensed during the year were $15,704,000 in 2002, $17,445,000 in 2001 and $19,138,000 in 2000.

Other Investments

The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority ("CRDA") bonds are classified as held-to-maturity securities and are carried at amortized cost less a valuation allowance.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. During construction, the Company capitalizes interest and other direct and indirect development costs. Interest is capitalized monthly by applying the effective interest rate on certain borrowings to the average balance of expenditures. The interest that was capitalized during the year was $3,004,000 in 2002, $1,326,000 in 2001 and $119,000 in 2000.

Depreciation and amortization are computed by the straight-line method based upon the following useful lives: buildings and improvements, 3-40 years; riverboats, barge, docking facilities and improvements, 3-25 years; furniture and equipment, 3- 15 years; and leasehold improvements, shorter of lease term or asset useful life. Accumulated depreciation and amortization on buildings, riverboats and equipment was $502,656,000 at January 2, 2003 and $431,239,000 at January 3, 2002.

Improvements, renewals and extraordinary repairs that extend the life of the asset are capitalized; other repairs and maintenance are expensed. The cost and accumulated depreciation applicable to assets retired are removed from the accounts and the gain or loss, if any, on disposition is recognized in income as realized.

Intangible Assets

Debt issuance costs are capitalized as incurred and amortized using the interest method.

Development costs associated with pursuing opportunities in gaming jurisdictions, as well as in jurisdictions in which gaming has not been approved, are expensed as incurred until a particular opportunity is determined to be viable, generally when the Company has been selected as the operator of a new gaming facility, has applied for a gaming license or has obtained rights to a specific site. Development costs incurred subsequent to these criteria being met are capitalized. Development costs consist of licensing costs and site acquisition costs. In jurisdictions in which gaming has not been approved, only site acquisition costs are capitalized. In the

F-12

event a project is later determined not to be viable or the Company is not licensed to operate a facility at a site, the capitalized costs related to this project or site would be expensed. It is reasonably possible that management's estimate of viability with regard to a development project may change in the near term.

Costs incurred to obtain initial gaming licenses to operate a casino are capitalized as incurred and prior to January 4, 2002, were amortized evenly over ten years beginning with the commencement of operations; subsequent renewal costs are amortized evenly over the renewal period. With the adoption of SFAS 142, effective January 4, 2002, the Company ceased amortization of its initial gaming licenses. The Company has determined, under the criteria established in SFAS 142, that the useful life of the initial gaming licenses is indefinite. Licensing costs consist primarily of payments or obligations to civic and community organizations, legal and consulting fees, application and selection fees with associated investigative costs and direct internal salaries and related costs of development personnel.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances warrant such a review. The carrying value of a long-lived or amortizable intangible asset is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from such asset is separately identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for the cost of disposition. Effective January 4, 2002, SFAS 142 requires an annual impairment review based on fair value for all intangible assets with indefinite lives. The Company performed an impairment test of its intangible assets with indefinite lives during the year 2002 and concluded that there was no impairment.

Equity Instruments

The fair-value-based method of accounting is used for equity instruments issued to nonemployees for goods or services. The intrinsic-value-based method of accounting is used for stock-based employee compensation plans. The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 entitled "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related Interpretations in accounting for its stock-based employee compensation arrangements because the alternative fair-value-based method of accounting provided for under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 entitled "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" requires use of option valuation models that were not developed for use in valuing employee stock options.

Under APB 25, because the exercise price of the Company's stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized. The Company's stock-based employee compensation plans are more fully discussed in Note 12. Stock Options.

F-13

Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by SFAS 123, and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for its stock option plans under the fair-value-based method of that Statement. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant or modification using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 4.8% in 2002 and 2001 and 6.7% in 2000, no dividend in 2002, 2001 or 2000, volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company's common stock of .50 in 2002 and .47 in 2001 and 2000, and an expected life of the option of 5.6 years in 2002 and 5.1 years in 2001 and 2000.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting or trading restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its stock options.

For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The pro forma information is as follows (in thousands except for net income per common share information):

Revenue Recognition

Casino revenue consists of gaming win net of losses. Other revenue consists of revenue from many various sources such as entertainment, retail outlets including gift shops, telephone, commissions and surcharges, hotel services and admissions to our riverboats. These revenues are recognized as earned. Revenues exclude the retail value of complimentary food and beverage, accommodations and other goods and services provided to customers. The estimated costs of providing such

F-14

complimentaries have been classified as casino expenses through interdepartmental allocations as follows (in thousands):

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or income tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per common share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Earnings per common share, assuming dilution, is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding after consideration of the dilutive effect of stock options and the assumed conversion of the preferred stock at the stated rate.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in the January 3, 2002 Consolidated Balance Sheet and the 2001 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in order to be comparable with the January 2, 2003 presentations.

NOTE 2. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, long-term investments and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments with high-credit-quality financial institutions. At times, such investments may be in excess of the FDIC and SIPC insurance limits.

The Atlantic City Tropicana has a concentration of credit risk in the northeast region of the U.S. The receivables at the Nevada operations are concentrated in California and the southwest region of the U.S. As a general policy, the Company does not require collateral for these receivables. At January 2, 2003 and January 3, 2002, the net receivables at Tropicana Atlantic City were $13,716,000 and $15,533,000, respectively, and the net receivables at Tropicana Las Vegas and Ramada Express combined were $4,116,000 and $5,004,000, respectively.

An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for possible future losses. At January 2, 2003 and January 3, 2002, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $17,376,000 and $20,578,000, respectively.

F-15

NOTE 3. ACQUISITION AND PRIOR INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO UNCONSOLIDATED
        PARTNERSHIP

The Company's investment in unconsolidated partnership was a noncontrolling partnership interest of 50% in Tropicana Enterprises, a Nevada general partnership that owned the real property that the Company leased in the operation of the Las Vegas Tropicana. The Company used the equity method of accounting for this investment. On February 28, 2002, the Company purchased the 50% partnership interest in Tropicana Enterprises that it did not own. After credits, the Company paid $117,500,000. The source of funds for this purchase was cash on hand of $47,500,000 and $70,000,000 in borrowings under its revolving credit facility ("Revolver"). In addition, the Company assumed $48,921,000 of partnership debt ("Tropicana Enterprises Loan") that the Company was servicing through its rent payments. This purchase eliminates, after February 28, 2002, the Company's real estate rent expense at the Las Vegas Tropicana and its equity in unconsolidated partnership's loss. In connection with the lease, the Company expensed rents of $2,722,000 in 2002, $17,240,000 in 2001 and $17,784,000 in 2000, of which 50% was eliminated in consolidation. The Company's equity in unconsolidated partnership's loss during the year was $458,000 in 2002, $3,702,000 in 2001 and $4,215,000 in 2000. Distributions received from Tropicana Enterprises during the year were $489,000 in 2002, $5,511,000 in 2001 and $5,333,000 in 2000. The purchase, however, increases depreciation and interest expenses and decreases interest income after February 28, 2002. As part of the acquisition, the Company acquired the 50% interest in the Tropicana trademark, an intangible asset with an indefinite life, that it did not already own as part of its interest in the partnership, at an allocated cost of $22,172,000 based upon an appraisal report.

Summarized balance sheet information and operating results, prior to the acquisition, for the unconsolidated partnership are as follows (in thousands):

F-16

The Company's share of the above operating results, after intercompany eliminations, is as follows (in thousands):

NOTE 4. OTHER INVESTMENTS

Other investments consist of the following (in thousands):

The Company has a New Jersey investment obligation based upon its New Jersey casino revenues. The Company may satisfy this investment obligation by investing in qualified eligible direct investments, by making qualified contributions or by depositing funds with the CRDA. Deposits with the CRDA bear interest at two-thirds of market rates resulting in a fair value lower than cost. These deposits, under certain circumstances, may be donated to the CRDA in exchange for credits against future investment obligations. If not used for other purposes, the CRDA deposits are used to invest in bonds issued by the CRDA as they become available that also bear interest at two-thirds of market rates. The CRDA bonds have various contractual maturities that range from 12 to 45 years. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because of prepayment rights.

In April 2002, the Company commenced construction on a major expansion project at the Atlantic City Tropicana. The Company has an agreement with the CRDA for approximately $20,100,000 in funding in connection with this expansion project. As of January 2, 2003, the Company has received approximately $13,400,000 in funding from the CRDA under this agreement. At January 2, 2003, the Company had approximately $1,000,000 in available deposits with the CRDA that qualified for this funding and accordingly reclassified these amounts to accounts receivable.

The Company also has an agreement with the CRDA for approximately $24,500,000 in funding in connection with an expansion project at the Atlantic City Tropicana completed in 1996. The Company receives funds from the CRDA to the extent that the Company has available funds on deposit with the CRDA that qualify for this funding. As of January 2, 2003, the Company has received approximately $24,200,000 in funding from the CRDA under this agreement. At January 2, 2003 and January 3, 2002, the Company had approximately $300,000 and $250,000, respectively, in available deposits with the CRDA that qualified and accordingly reclassified these amounts to accounts receivable.

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NOTE 5. LAS VEGAS TROPICANA DEVELOPMENT

The Company is conducting feasibility studies to master-plan a potential development of the Las Vegas Tropicana site. The master plan envisions the creation of two separate but essentially equal and inter-connected sites. The north site would be developed by the Company. The south site would be held for future Company development, joint venture development, or sale for development by another party.

For development of a potential project on the north site, the Company plans to complete a detailed design development effort with construction documents and estimated construction costs by the end of 2003, at which time the Company will decide whether or not to proceed. The amount and timing of any future expenditure, and the extent of any impact on existing operations, will depend on the nature and timing of the development we ultimately undertake, if any. If we decide to abandon any facilities in the development process, we would have to conduct a review for impairment with a possible write-down and review their useful lives with a possible adjustment to depreciation and amortization expense. These reviews could result in adjustments that have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations.

The net book value of the property and equipment used in the operation of the Las Vegas Tropicana, excluding land at a cost of $109,979,000, was $62,640,000 at January 2, 2003. The net book value of accounts receivable, inventories and prepaid expenses at the Las Vegas Tropicana was $7,458,000 at January 2, 2003. It is reasonably possible that the carrying value of some or all of these assets may change in the near term.

NOTE 6: INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Acquired intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

Amortization of acquired intangible assets (excluding prior year amortization of the Company's initial gaming licenses (see "Note 14. Amortization")) was $2,357,000 in 2002, $2,374,000 in 2001 and $2,221,000 in 2000.

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Estimated future amortization expense for the acquired intangible assets subject to amortization at January 2, 2003 is as follows for each of the five years subsequent to January 2, 2003 (in thousands):

NOTE 7. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

Maturities of long-term debt for the five years subsequent to January 2, 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

On February 28, 2002, the Company purchased the 50% partnership interest in Tropicana Enterprises that it did not own. As part of the acquisition, the Company assumed the $48,921,000 Tropicana Enterprises Loan. The Tropicana Enterprises Loan calls for monthly principal payments of $366,000 to $419,000, with a final payment of approximately $34,000,000 due at maturity. The Tropicana Enterprises Loan is collateralized by the Las Vegas Tropicana property. Interest is computed based upon, at the borrower's option, a one-, two-, three- or six-month Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.25%, or the prime rate plus a margin ranging from zero to 1.00%. The applicable margin is dependent upon the Company's outstanding indebtedness and operating cash flow. As of January 2, 2003, the margin was at 0.50% less than the highest level. Interest computed based upon the Eurodollar rate is payable quarterly or on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar interest period, if earlier. Interest computed based upon the prime rate is payable quarterly.

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Interest on the 8 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due May 15, 2007 ("8 7/8% Notes") is payable semiannually on May 15 and November 15. At any time prior to May 15, 2003, the 8 7/8% Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at a price of 100% of the principal amount plus a redemption premium plus accrued and unpaid interest. The redemption premium will be equal to the greater of (1) 1% of the principal amount or (2) the excess of (A) the sum of the present values of (i) 104.438% of the principal amount and (ii) all required interest payments through May 15, 2003, excluding accrued but unpaid interest, computed in each case using a discount rate equal to the treasury rate at the time of redemption plus 50 basis points over (B) the principal amount. On or after May 15, 2003, the 8 7/8% Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at prices from 104.438% of the principal amount plus interest declining to 100% of the principal amount plus interest beginning May 15, 2006.

Interest on the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due August 15, 2011 ("9% Notes") is payable on February 15 and August 15. At any time prior to August 15, 2006, the 9% Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at a price of 100% of the principal amount plus a redemption premium plus accrued and unpaid interest. The redemption premium will be equal to the greater of (1) 1% of the principal amount or (2) the excess of (A) the sum of the present values of (i) 104.5% of the principal amount and (ii) all required interest payments through August 15, 2006, excluding accrued but unpaid interest, computed in each case using a discount rate equal to the treasury rate at the time of redemption plus 50 basis points over (B) the principal amount. On or after August 15, 2006, the 9% Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at prices from 104.5% of the principal amount plus interest declining to 100% of the principal amount plus interest beginning August 15, 2009.

The 8 7/8% Notes and 9% Notes, ranked pari passu, are general unsecured obligations of the Company and are subordinated in right of payment to all present and future senior indebtedness (as defined) of the Company. Upon change of control of the Company, the holders of the 8 7/8% Notes and 9% Notes would have the right to require repurchase of the respective notes at 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Certain covenants in the 8 7/8% Notes and 9% Notes limit the ability of the Company to incur indebtedness, make certain payments or engage in mergers, consolidations or sales of assets.

At January 2, 2003, the maximum amount available under the Revolver was $264,000,000, which left $239,000,000 available for future borrowing. The maximum amount available under the Revolver decreases by $12,000,000 on March 31, 2004, and quarterly thereafter. Interest is computed on the outstanding principal balance of the Revolver based upon, at the Company's option, a one-, two-, three- or six-month Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.50%, or the prime rate plus a margin ranging from zero to 1.25%. The applicable margin is dependent upon the Company's outstanding indebtedness and operating cash flow. As of January 2, 2003, the margin was at 0.75% less than the highest level. Interest computed based upon the Eurodollar rate is payable quarterly or on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar interest period, if earlier. Interest computed based upon the prime rate is payable quarterly. The Company incurs a commitment fee ranging from 0.225% to 0.4375% per annum on the unused portion of the Revolver.

The Term loan ("Term Loan") calls for quarterly principal payments of $125,000 on a calendar basis through June 30, 2004, and $11,875,000 beginning on September 30, 2004 through maturity. Interest is computed on the Term Loan based upon, at the

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Company's option, a one-, two-, three- or six-month Eurodollar rate plus a margin of 2.5%. Interest is payable quarterly or on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar interest period, if earlier.

The collateral securing the Revolver and the Term Loan, shared on a pari passu basis, consists of all the property of Tropicana Atlantic City, Ramada Express and the casino riverboat operations and, with certain exceptions, the stock of the Company's subsidiaries. The Revolver imposes various restrictions on the Company, including limitations on its ability to incur additional debt, commit funds to capital expenditures and investments, merge or sell assets. The Revolver also prohibits dividends on the Company's common stock (other than those payable in common stock) and repurchases of the Company's common stock in excess of $250,000,000 with limited exceptions. In addition, the Revolver contains quarterly financial tests, including a minimum requirement for operating cash flow, a minimum ratio of fixed charge coverage and maximum ratios of total debt and senior debt to operating cash flow. The restrictions imposed on the Company by the Term Loan are similar to those imposed by the Company's senior subordinated debt.

NOTE 8. LEASE OBLIGATIONS

The Company is a lessee under a number of noncancelable lease agreements involving land, buildings, leasehold improvements and equipment, some of which provide for contingent rentals based on revenues, the consumer price index and/or interest rate fluctuations. The leases extend for various periods up to 6 years and generally provide for the payment of executory costs (taxes, insurance and maintenance) by the Company. Certain of these leases have provisions for renewal options ranging from 1 to 15 years, primarily under similar terms, and/or options to purchase at various dates.

Properties leased under capital leases are as follows (in thousands):

Amortization of furniture and equipment leased under capital leases, computed on a straight-line basis, was $324,000 in 2002, $807,000 in 2001 and $2,397,000 in 2000.

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Minimum future lease obligations on long-term, noncancelable leases in effect at January 2, 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

The above net present value is computed based on specific interest rates determined at the inception of the leases.

Rent expense is detailed as follows (in thousands):

NOTE 9. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Other long-term liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

NOTE 10. REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

A series of preferred stock consisting of 100,000 shares has been designated Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series B Stock") and those shares were issued on December 20, 1989, to the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP"). In 2001, the ESOP was merged into the Aztar Corporation 401(k) Plan ("401(k) Plan") and the assets of the ESOP were subsequently transferred to the 401(k) Plan.

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Beginning January 1, 2001, the Series B Stock was held by the Aztar Corporation 401(k) Plan Stock and Insurance Trust. During 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, 3,584 shares, 4,411 shares and 6,022 shares were redeemed primarily in connection with employee terminations. At January 2, 2003, cumulative redemptions totaled 43,992 shares. The Series B Stock has an annual dividend rate of $8.00 per share per annum payable semiannually in arrears. These shares have no voting rights except under certain limited, specified conditions. Shares may be converted into common stock at $9.46 per share of common stock and have a liquidation preference of $100 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends.

The shares that have been allocated to the participants' accounts and have vested are redeemable at the higher of $100 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, appraised value or conversion value, at the election of the participant upon becoming eligible to redeem Series B Stock. The excess of the redemption value of the Series B Stock over the carrying value is charged to retained earnings upon redemption. In order for a Series B Stock redemption to occur, a request for distribution is made by the participant or beneficiary. Those participants or beneficiaries who are eligible to redeem their Series B Stock are permitted to leave their Series B Stock in their account until an election for redemption is made or until federal statutes require a form of distribution. Series B Stock redemptions are uncertain due to the redemption being dependent upon an election made by the participant or beneficiary.

In the event of default in the payment of dividends on the Series B Stock for six consecutive semiannual periods, each outstanding share would have one vote per share of common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible.

NOTE 11. CAPITAL STOCK

The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, issuable in series as the Board of Directors may designate. Approximately 100,000 shares of preferred stock have been designated Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock but none have been issued.

The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $.01 per share. Shares issued were 52,413,498 at January 2, 2003 and 51,748,464 at January 3, 2002. Common stock outstanding was net of 15,387,119 and 15,103,697 treasury shares at January 2, 2003 and January 3, 2002, respectively. One preferred stock purchase right ("Right") is attached to each share of the Company's common stock. Each Right will entitle the holder, subject to the occurrence of certain events, to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at a price of $50.00 per one one-thousandth of a share, subject to adjustment. The Rights will expire in December 2009 if not earlier extended or redeemed by the Company at $.01 per Right.

In accordance with the Merger agreement, 666,572 shares of common stock that had not been claimed by the shareholders of Ramada were returned to the Company in December 1990 to be held as treasury shares until claimed. During 2001 and 2000, respectively, 206 and 500 shares were claimed. No unclaimed shares were held by the Company as of January 2, 2003 and January 3, 2002.

In 1999, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to make discretionary repurchases of up to 8,000,000 shares of its common stock. In 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to make discretionary repurchases of up to 3,000,000 additional shares of its common stock. There were 2,334,700,

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4,973,000 and 3,692,300 shares repurchased under this program in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. This share repurchase program was completed in October 2001. In December 2002, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to make discretionary repurchases of up to 4,000,000 shares of its common stock and as of January 2, 2003, the Company repurchased 283,200 shares of its common stock under this authority. All purchases under the Company's stock repurchase program were made or may be made in the future from time to time in the open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending upon market prices and other business factors. Repurchased shares are stated at cost and held as treasury shares to be used for general corporate purposes.

The Company accepted 222, 1,081 and 95,543 shares of its common stock in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, from employees and nonemployee Directors in lieu of cash due to the Company in connection with the exercise of stock options. Such shares of common stock are stated at cost and held as treasury shares to be used for general corporate purposes.

At January 2, 2003, January 3, 2002 and December 28, 2000, common shares reserved for future grants of stock options under the Company's stock option plans were 694,664, 1,427,331 and 1,690,999, respectively. At January 2, 2003, common shares reserved for the conversion of the Series B Stock were 592,000 and shares of preferred stock reserved for exercise of the Rights were 50,000.

NOTE 12. STOCK OPTIONS

The Company's 1989 Stock Option and Incentive Plan ("1989 Plan") expired in June 1999. The 1989 Plan had authorized the grant of up to 6,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to options, restricted shares and performance shares to officers and key employees of the Company. Options granted under the 1989 Plan have 10-year terms and vest and become exercisable at the rate of 1/3 per year on each of the first three anniversary dates of the grant, subject to continued employment on those dates. During 1999, the Company adopted the 1999 Employee Stock Option and Incentive Plan ("1999 Plan"). The 1999 Plan has authorized the grant of up to 4,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, deferred shares and performance shares to officers and key employees of the Company. Options granted under the 1999 Plan have 10-year terms and vest and become exercisable at the rate of 1/3 per year on each of the first three anniversary dates of the grant, subject to continued employment on those dates. Options granted on May 8, 2002, or later, under the 1999 Plan include an additional provision that provides for accelerated vesting under certain circumstances related to retirement, disability or death. The Company's 1990 Nonemployee Directors Stock Option Plan ("1990 Plan") expired in July 2000. The 1990 Plan had authorized the grant of up to 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to options granted to nonemployee Directors of the Company. Options granted under the 1990 Plan have 10-year terms and vested and became exercisable on the date of grant. During 2001, the Company's shareholders approved the 2000 Nonemployee Directors Stock Option Plan ("2000 Plan"). The 2000 Plan has authorized the grant of up to 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to options granted to nonemployee Directors of the Company. Options granted under the 2000 Plan have 10-year terms. The 2000 Plan provides for the granting of options that vest and become exercisable on the date of grant. The 2000 Plan has been modified to also provide for the granting of options whereby a portion vests and becomes exercisable on the date of grant and the remainder vests and becomes exercisable evenly over varying terms depending on the date of the grant, subject to being a Company Director on those dates.

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A summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information is as follows (in thousands of shares):

The following table summarizes additional information about the Company's stock options (in thousands of shares):

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NOTE 13. BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has nonqualified defined benefit pension plans and a deferred compensation plan. These plans are unfunded. Effective January 3, 2003, the Company established the Aztar Corporation Nonqualified Retirement Trust for the benefit of employees covered by one of the Company's nonqualified defined benefit pension plans. The Company contributed $6,217,000 to this trust on January 9, 2003. The funds in the trust continue to be assets of the Company. The following table shows a reconciliation of the changes in the plans' benefit obligation for the years 2002 and 2001 and a reconciliation of the funded status with amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 2, 2003 and January 3, 2002 (in thousands):

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The components of benefit plan expense are as follows (in thousands):

The assumptions used in the measurement of the Company's benefit obligation are as follows:

The Company has a defined contribution plan that covers substantially all employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining unit. The plan allows employees, at their discretion, to make contributions of their before-tax earnings to the plan up to an annual maximum amount. The Company matches 50% of the employee contributions that are based on up to 6% in 2002 and 2001 and up to 4% in 2000 of an employee's before-tax earnings. Compensation expense with regard to Company matching contributions was $2,431,000, $2,342,000 and $1,534,000 in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The Company contributed $4,390,000, $4,039,000 and $3,936,000 in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, to trusteed pension plans under various collective bargaining agreements.

NOTE 14. AMORTIZATION

In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS 142 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001 and applies to all goodwill and other intangible assets recognized in an entity's statement of financial position at that date, regardless of when those assets were initially recognized. Effective January 4, 2002, the Company ceased amortization of the cost of its initial gaming licenses because it was determined, under the criteria established in SFAS 142, that these assets have an indefinite life. Amortization expense related to the cost of the Company's initial gaming licenses was $2,673,000 in 2001 and $2,625,000 in 2000.

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A reconciliation of the Company's reported net income to proforma net income to give effect to SFAS 142 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

NOTE 15. INCOME TAXES

The (provision) benefit for income taxes is comprised of (in thousands):

The Company is responsible, with certain exceptions, for the taxes of Ramada through December 20, 1989. In connection with Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") examinations of the income tax returns for the years 1989 through 1996, an issue was resolved, which was the last remaining issue for the years 1989 through 1991, that resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $7,500,000 in 2000. The issue related to the deductibility of the cost of meals served to certain employees on the Company's premises. The IRS maintained that the Tax Reform Act of 1986 reduced this deduction. We recorded provisions in prior years based on the IRS position; however, we believed that these employee meals were fully deductible. The United States Tax Court decided in favor of the IRS in a case involving Boyd Gaming Corporation ("Boyd Gaming Case"). In 1999, the Boyd Gaming Case was overturned in the United States Court of Appeals. This issue, as it pertained to us, was resolved with the IRS during 2000.

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In 2002, the Company settled the remaining two issues with the IRS related to the examination of the Company's income tax returns for the years 1992 and 1993. The two issues involved the deductibility of certain complimentaries provided to customers and the deductibility of a portion of payments on certain liabilities related to the Restructuring. The settlement resulted in a tax benefit of $1,041,000. The IRS is examining the Company's income tax returns for 1994 through 1999 and has settled for all but the same two issues. The Company has estimated and provided for income taxes and interest in accordance with the IRS position. It is reasonably possible that these two issues for 1994 through 1999 could be favorably settled in the near term. The New Jersey Division of Taxation is examining the New Jersey income tax returns for the years 1995 through 1998. Management believes that adequate provision for income taxes and interest has been made in the financial statements.

The Company has received proposed assessments from the Indiana Department of Revenue ("IDR") in connection with the examination of the Company's Indiana income tax returns for the years 1996 through 2000. Those assessments are based on the IDR's position that the Company's gaming taxes that are based on gaming revenue are not deductible for Indiana income tax purposes. The Company filed a petition in Indiana Tax Court for the 1996 and 1997 tax years and oral arguments were heard in April 2001. The Company has filed a formal protest for the years 1998 through 2000. The Company believes that it has meritorious legal defense to those assessments and has not recorded an accrual for payment. It is reasonably possible that the Company's estimate may change in the near term. The amount involved, including the Company's estimate of interest, net of a federal income tax benefit assuming continuation through January 2, 2003, was approximately $9,700,000 at January 2, 2003.

General business credits are taken as a reduction of the provision for income taxes during the year such credits become available. The (provision) benefit for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate (35%) because of the effect of the following items (in thousands):

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The income tax effects of loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards and temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting that give rise to the deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

Gross deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance. The beginning-of-year valuation allowance was reduced during 2002 and 2001, which caused a decrease in income tax expense of $154,000 and $305,000, respectively. The beginning-of-year valuation allowance was increased during 2000, which caused an increase in income tax expense of $393,000.

At January 2, 2003, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes that will expire in the following years if not used (in thousands):

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NOTE 16. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The computations of net income per common share and net income per common share, assuming dilution, are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):