UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 14A (Rule 14A-101) Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. __) Filed by the Registrant |X| Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [ ] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials |X| Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12 AZTAR CORPORATION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box): |X| No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: (5) Total fee paid: [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount Previously Paid: (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: (3) Filing Party: (4) Date Filed: Filed by: Aztar Corporation Pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Subject Company: Aztar Corporation Commission File No. 1-5440 On April 28, 2006, Aztar Corporation published the following press release: Contact: ------- Joe Cole Aztar Corporation 602-381-4111 AZTAR RECEIVES OFFER FROM PINNACLE TO INCREASE PURCHASE PRICE PHOENIX, AZ, April 28, 2006 - Aztar Corporation (NYSE: AZR) today announced that on April 27, 2006, its Board of Directors received an offer from Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. to increase its purchase price to acquire Aztar to $48.00 per share of Aztar common stock, consisting of $45.00 in cash and $3.00 of Pinnacle common stock, subject to a collar. Pinnacle's offer will remain open until 5:00 p.m. (New York City time), April 28, 2006, and will automatically expire if not accepted by then. Aztar's Board will evaluate all aspects of the offer submitted by Pinnacle. As previously announced, Aztar and Pinnacle are party to a merger agreement in which Pinnacle has agreed to acquire Aztar for a purchase price of $45.00 per share of Aztar common stock in cash. About Aztar Corporation Aztar is a publicly traded company that operates Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Tropicana Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ramada Express Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, Casino Aztar in Caruthersville, Missouri, and Casino Aztar in Evansville, Indiana. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Pinnacle's pending acquisition of Aztar, are based on current expectations of management of Aztar and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could significantly affect future results. Accordingly, Aztar cautions that the forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (a) the risk that Aztar may be unable to obtain stockholder approval required for the transaction with Pinnacle; (b) the risk that Pinnacle may be unable to obtain regulatory approvals required for the transaction with Aztar; (c) the risk that conditions to the closing of the transaction may not be satisfied or the merger agreement with Pinnacle may be terminated prior to closing; and (d) other risks, including those as may be detailed from time to time in Pinnacle's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). For more information on the potential factors that could affect Aztar's financial results and business, review Aztar's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Additional Information and Where to Find It This press release may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed merger of Aztar and Pinnacle. In connection with the proposed merger, Aztar plans to file a proxy statement with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF AZTAR ARE ADVISED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THOSE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER. The final proxy statement will be mailed to stockholders of Aztar. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement, when it becomes available, and other documents filed by Aztar with the SEC, at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. Free copies of the proxy statement, when it becomes available, and Aztar's other filings with the SEC may also be obtained from Aztar. Free copies of Aztar's filings may be obtained by directing a request to Aztar Corporation, 2390 East Camelback Road, Suite 400, Phoenix, Arizona 85016, Attention: Secretary. Aztar, Pinnacle and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of their management and employees may be deemed to be soliciting proxies from Aztar's stockholders in favor of the proposed merger. Information regarding Aztar's directors and executive officers is available in Aztar's proxy statement for its 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 10, 2006. Information regarding Pinnacle's directors and executive officers is available in Pinnacle's proxy statement for its 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 13, 2006. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the proxy statement and the other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available.