A new development in Missouri’s gaming industry has emerged as a proposal for a casino license on the Osage River near the Lake of the Ozarks has been approved for the November ballot, following a ruling by a Cole County judge on Friday.
Overcoming signature shortfalls:
Initially deemed short by 2,031 signatures in the 2nd Congressional District, the casino proposal, backed by Osage River Gaming and Convention, was later found to meet the necessary requirements. This came after Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office acknowledged the validity of additional signatures during a hearing presided over by Judge Daniel Green. An additional 2,230 valid signatures were confirmed by proponents after reassessing those previously rejected by local election authorities.
As the Missouri Independent reports, Chuck Hatfield, the attorney for the campaign, described signature verification as “a massive, messy process that does not always produce perfect results.”
Scheduled to appear as Amendment 5 on the November 5 ballot, the casino proposal will be listed alongside Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting.
The initiative for the Osage River casino is driven by a committee aiming to establish a competitive gaming facility in response to a planned casino by the Osage Nation in the same vicinity. “Today is a victory for the initiative petition process and for voters who will benefit from our proposed development at the Lake of the Ozarks,” the committee stated following the judge’s decision.
The proposed amendment would modify the Missouri Constitution to permit a casino 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, it aims to surpass a 2008 state law that caps the number of licensed casinos in Missouri at 13, a measure originally put in place by casino operators themselves.
Economic impact and development support:
Backed financially by Bally’s, which operates a riverboat casino in Kansas City, and RIS Inc., a significant regional developer, the casino project promises substantial economic benefits. Each entity has invested roughly half of the $4.3 million raised for the initiative. The proposed casino is expected to create over 700 new jobs in the Lake of the Ozarks area and generate significant revenue, including $2.1 million annually in admission and other fees, and $14.3 million in annual gaming taxes.
This strategic expansion into the Osage River area reflects a broader vision to enhance Missouri’s appeal as a premier tourist destination. By situating the casino near one of the state’s largest tourism hubs, the Lake of the Ozarks, the initiative could significantly boost local economies through increased visitor traffic and associated spending in hospitality and retail sectors, further entrenching Missouri’s reputation as a vibrant and diverse entertainment landscape.
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