Lake Ozark, Missouri Mayor Dennis Newberry recently sent a letter to state legislators thanking them for their support of HJR-23 and Senate SJR-14.
The House and Senate bills would allow a casino to be built on or near the Osage River and add another state gaming license specific to an Osage River casino, if voters approve the constitutional amendment. Osage River Gaming, a local development group, is behind the effort to build a casino, hotel and related businesses if the referendum passes.
In his letter, Newberry wrote local officials have been “closely monitoring this legislative action.” He noted the Lake Ozark board of aldermen unanimously passed resolutions endorsing the two bills.
Newberry noted, “This casino development, which will likely include additional amenities such as a new hotel and convention center, will help make the city of Lake Ozark a year-round travel destination, increasing our opportunities for future economic growth. The revenue generated from this development will provide for heightened reinvestment in our infrastructure systems, which are underfunded by current revenue streams.”
Newberry continued, “The City of Lake has a modest population of just over 2,000, with a few meaningful commercial developments that generate most of the tax revenue to maintain our infrastructure and provide other crucial services. A gaming and hospitality development would be the single greatest contributor to the city of Lake Ozark’s revenue stream.
“A state-sanctioned and tax-paying casino will help our community and the state of Missouri further evolve as a popular tourist destination utilized by American tourists for years to come, and will give our community new life by hosting a more stable, year-round economic environment.”
Newberry pointed out tax revenue from this development would help fund projects throughout the region and “create a draw for tourists to come to our area throughout the entire year.”
He concluded, “We respectfully ask that you allow the people of Missouri to have a voice and vote to expand the number of gaming licenses to include the Osage River on the list of Missouri waterways that allow gaming. This opportunity, if heard and supported by the people, will transform our community and region at a scale that no other singular development can.”
