The casino resolution for the Osage Nation experiences a delay at Lake of the Ozarks; its future remains uncertain.
The Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen failed to make a decision regarding a potential project on June 13, resulting in a tie vote. This is the second time the matter has been delayed in recent weeks.
The city supports the Osage Nation's goal of reestablishing and enhancing their cultural presence and ancestral ties to the area community. The Osage Nation's proposal includes a casino, a convention hotel, an entertainment complex center, and an off-site Tribal office and Heritage Center.
Osage Casinos CEO Kimberly Pearson expressed confidence in bringing a high-quality entertainment district to Lake of the Ozarks, and once complete, the casino plans to invest $60 million into the community.
In May, residents expressed concerns about the potential presence of an Osage Nation casino in the city. There are no tribal casinos in Missouri at present.
The board postponed the resolution in May as well.
Moving Forward
Lake Ozark Mayor Dennis Newberry previously expressed confidence that gambling will make its way to the area. Newberry has been advocating for legislative support in Jefferson City to legalize gambling in Lake of the Ozarks.
The board has endorsed resolutions in the Missouri House and Senate seeking voter approval for a state-licensed casino (HJR 23 and SJR 14). However, legislators adjourned in May without voting on the resolutions to make gambling legal.
To establish a new state-licensed casino, an amendment to the Missouri Constitution is necessary. Therefore, the outcome will likely depend on state-wide support.
The Osage Nation is currently seeking approval of its claim for sovereignty on land for their own tribe-owned casino from the US Interior Department. Missouri residents will not be voting on this issue.
Osage Nation Steps Forward, Missouri Stalls
The Osage Nation operates seven casinos in Oklahoma, where the Nation is headquartered. It is the 25th largest tribe in the US, and its historical lands covered much of present-day Missouri.
The Nation purchased and cleared land for the multi-million dollar Lake Ozark casino project.
Current Missouri gambling laws allow riverboats with poker, craps, and blackjack on the Missouri or Mississippi Rivers or within 1,000 feet of their shorelines. The state operates an official lottery.
Missouri lawmakers rejected sports betting in the 2023 legislative session that concluded in May.
