Ameristar Casinos (Nasdaq: ASCA) reported earnings on Oct. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Ameristar Casinos met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped slightly and GAAP earnings per share dropped.

Gross margins expanded, operating margins dropped, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
 Ameristar Casinos reported revenue of $298.0 million. The 15 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $300.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.1% lower than the prior-year quarter's $304.5 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at $0.48. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.48 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.48 for Q3 were 14% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.56 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 49.1%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.2%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.4%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $292.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.37.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.20 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.13.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 194 members out of 244 rating the stock outperform, and 50 members rating it underperform. Among 75 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 67 give Ameristar Casinos a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ameristar Casinos is outperform, with an average price target of $20.54.

Can your portfolio provide you with enough income to last through retirement? You'll need more than Ameristar Casinos. Learn how to maximize your investment income and get "The 3 DOW Stocks Dividend Investors Need." Click here for instant access to this free report.