Four Ameristar employees have received cash awards totaling $30,000 as part of the casino’s 2010 Team Member of the Year honors program.

Timothy McGee, a table games dealer at the Washington Street riverfront casino, won the event’s namesake honor and $15,000, presented at this year’s banquet, held Tuesday. McGee started with Ameristar in Hard Count upon its 1994 opening and has worked as a dealer since returning to the company in 2001.

The Part-Time Team Member of the Year award went to slot service specialist Antonio Hughes, who received $7,500. Donald McDowell, a risk and safety manager employed for less than two years, won Team Leader of the Year and received $5,000. Division finalists chosen for outstanding service were cook Rosie Moore and EVS attendant Tommy Marshall, who were awarded $2,500 each.

Chris Chatham, the casino’s director of player development, was nominated for the 2010 Craig H. Neilsen Award. The honor is named for the company’s founder and will be selected later this month from nominees employed at Ameristar’s eight casinos nationwide.

A monthly recognition program awards $200 to each of three Team Member of the Month recipients — one each from the gaming, food and beverage, and support areas. Support includes administration, finance and hotel departments. Also, a part-time nominee is named and awarded $100.