Missouri Voters Reject Lake of the Ozarks Casino Proposal
Missouri Voters have rejected Amendment 5, a measure that would have permitted a new casino on the Osage River near Bagnell Dam at Lake of the Ozarks.
Missouri voters cast ballots for election. (Source: Dominick Williams)
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:According to the Missouri Secretary of State's office, Amendment 5 was defeated by a 52%-48% margin on Tuesday (November 5).
Missouri's existing casinos are strategically located along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. However, Amendment 5 sought to expand the geographical footprint by allowing casino development on or near artificial bodies of water. The Lake of the Ozarks, constructed by the US Army in the 1920s, was earmarked for potential casino development under the failed amendment.
The amendment's primary backers were Bally's Corp and the Osage River Gaming and Convention Committee (OGCC). The partners have long advocated for a Lake of the Ozarks casino and submitted revised renderings in late September.
Casino Plans in Limbo
However, with the measure falling short of the ballot, Missouri's land-based casino count will remain at 13. The rejection marks a significant setback for the OGCC, which has worked tirelessly for over a decade to bring the issue to voters.
The OGCC's plans for a Lake of the Ozarks casino were sparked in 2009 after a devastating fire destroyed the President Riverboat casino. By 2018, they were poised to launch an initiative petition but were advised by Rocky Miller to seek legislative approval.
The pandemic halted their progress plans in 2020, and subsequent legislative attempts failed in 2022 and 2023. Undeterred, the group switched gears and pursued a petition route, successfully landing a spot on the ballot on August 30 after overcoming legal hurdles.
However, with the fresh rejection, it is unsure whether the OGCC will reassess their strategy or call it quits on the casino vision.
Ammendment 5 Loss Clears Path for Osage Nation
While the OGCC may be feeling the sting of the defeat, Amendment 5's ballot outcome sparked celebration for another tribe, the Osage Nation.
Looking to establish its own casino in the Lake of the Ozarks area, the Osage Nation has been a vocal opponent of both the ballot measure and previous legislation. The tribe's $60 million gaming facility will break new ground as Missouri's first tribal casino.
Since it is a Class II casino, the Osagie Naation's establishment requires only federal approval, which is still pending. But, with the OGCC proposal defeated, their project stands alone in the region, implying a significant advantage in securing local support and market share.
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Victory for Missouri Sports Bettors
Meanwhile, legal sports betting is on the horizon in Missouri as the state voters have approved a proposal to legalize digital sports betting statewide.
The measure won by the slimmest of margins, just half a percentage point, or roughly 14,000 votes. Despite an opposition campaign from Caesars that temporarily held up the proposal, the measure succeeded after Caesars decided to withdraw $1 million worth of scheduled TV ads in October.
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