In Missouri, a new casino near the Lake of the Ozarks is moving closer to reality, as the Osage River Gaming & Convention committee recently turned in 320,000 signatures to the secretary of state’s office. That number exceeds the needed qualified 171,000 signatures, which represent 8 percent of registered voters in the 2020 governor vote in six of the state’s eight congressional districts.
The proposal would amend the Missouri constitution to allow a casino along the Osage River between Bagnell Dam and the confluence with the Missouri River. Currently the constitution allows casinos only along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Also, the amendment would allow more than 13 casinos statewide, the current limit passed in 2008.
If voters approve the constitutional amendment, the project would include, besides a casino, a hotel, convention center, restaurants and other attractions, Osage River Gaming & Convention committee officials said in a news release. The casino resort would be financed by Bally’s, operators of a casino in Kansas City, and RIS Inc., a major regional developer. Together they contributed $4.1 million toward the petition drive.
According to officials, the casino resort would create 700-800 new jobs and generate admission and fee revenue of $2.1 million annually, which would be split with the local government and the Missouri Gaming Commission. Revenue from casino net winnings is projected to be $14.3 million annually and would be directed to public school early childhood literacy programs.
The Osage Nation also has proposed a $60 million casino, hotel and convention center development, which the tribe announced in 2021.
Another gambling-related ballot initiative would change the constitution to legalize sports betting. Currently, the constitution only allows bingo, lottery, parimutuel wagering on horse races and casino gambling along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.
