The Lake of the Ozarks players have been anticipating the introduction of a commercial casino in the region. Yet, more state and local officials have backed the ongoing gaming campaign. This increases the chances of the casino proposal succeeding.
The development group won the hearts of several officials this week. However, Missouri voters need to pass a proposed constitutional amendment first for a gaming venue to be constructed along the Osage River.
The Miller County Commission represents the Ozarks Lake’s eastern side. It made a resolution this week allowing the construction of a casino. Osage River Gaming, comprising several local entrepreneurs, is leading a campaign to state a statewide casino referendum in 2024 urging residents to allow the introduction of casino gaming along the Osage.
Even so, the Missouri Constitution currently allows riverboats to operate on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers only. It requires the Missouri Gaming Commission to offer 13 casino licenses and the state has reached this limit now.
Miller county commissioners are urging Missouri to introduce casinos to the Ozarks by amending its gaming law to allow gaming on the Osage and increase the number of gaming licenses by at least one. Their support for the casino campaign came several days after the City of Lake Ozarks Board of Aldermen voted it the casino ballot referendum.
Ozark’s Gaming Potential
Osage River Gaming plans to develop a gaming site on the Osage River, south of Osage National Golf Course and near the Osage River Bridge. Still, Bally’s Corporation is the preferred development partner. If the gaming ballot passes, the company would run the boat and give Osage River Gaming part of its revenue.
Miller County has one of the targeted properties. The Missouri Secretary of State signed the proposed ballot language last month to allow gaming along the river. This formed the 14th casino concession.
The state’s voters need to initiate the ballot referendum by appending at least 170,000 signatures that the state’s secretary will verify later. If this occurs, most of the votes in the November 2024 ballots would be necessary to pass the gaming proposal.
Are Tribal Casinos Coexisting Peacefully?
The Osage Nation from Oklahoma is often linked to the Ozarks and missouri. The Native Tribe is determined to establish a tribal gaming property in Lake of the Ozarks.
The Lake Ozark Aldermen opposed a resolution to support the Osage Nation’s tribal gaming proposal in June. Mayor Dennis Newberry from Lake Ozark had to cast a tie breaking ballot after a 3-3 deadlock occurred. He voted “no” and the resolution failed.
Newberry has invested in the local real estate sector. He stated that he often gathers sufficient information before making crucial decisions as an investor. Yet, he had scanty details about Osage Nation’s plan when he cast the vote.
Some leaders claim that a tribal casino won’t be compelled to pay specific local and state taxes. Also, it would offer different economic benefits compared to a commercial casino.
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