New developments have emerged in the Missouri gaming industry. According to a ruling by a Cole County judge on Friday, a proposal to establish a casino license on the Osage River near Lake of the Ozarks has been approved for the November ballot.
Overcoming Signature Shortfalls:
Initially, the casino proposal only secured 2,031 signatures in the 2nd Congressional District, but it was later found to meet the necessary requirements. Previously, the office of Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, during a hearing presided over by Judge Daniel Green, acknowledged the validity of additional signatures. After reassessing signatures previously rejected by local election authorities, supporters confirmed an additional 2,230 valid signatures.
According to the Missouri Independent, the campaign team's lawyer, Chuck Hatfield, described the signature verification as "a massive and messy process that doesn’t always yield perfect results."
The casino proposal is set to appear as Amendment 5 on the November 5th ballot, alongside Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting.
The Osage River casino plan is driven by a committee aiming to establish a competitive gaming facility to counter plans by the Osage Nation to open a casino in the same area. The committee stated after the judge's decision: "Today is a victory for the initiative petition process and for the voters, who will benefit from our proposed development project at Lake of the Ozarks."
The proposed amendment would modify the Missouri Constitution to allow casinos along the Osage River, stretching from Bagnell Dam to its confluence with the Missouri River. This change would challenge the current state constitution, which only permits casinos along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Additionally, the amendment aims to surpass a 2008 state law that limits the number of licensed casinos in Missouri to 13, a measure initially set by casino operators themselves.
Economic Impact and Development Support:
The casino project is financially backed by Bally’s, which operates riverboat casinos in Kansas City, and significant regional developer RIS Inc., promising substantial economic benefits. Each entity has invested about half of the $4.3 million raised for the plan. The proposed casino is expected to create over 700 new jobs in the Lake Osage area and generate significant revenue, including $2.1 million annually in admission fees and other charges, as well as $14.3 million annually in gaming taxes.
This strategic expansion into the Osage River area reflects a broader vision to enhance Missouri's appeal as a top tourist destination. By situating the casino near one of the state's largest tourist hubs, Lake of the Ozarks, the plan can significantly boost local economic development through increased tourist traffic and related consumption in hotels and retail, further solidifying Missouri's reputation as a vibrant and diverse entertainment landscape.
