Unveiling of the Osage Nation's Casino Resort at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Osage Nation's Class II Casino Proposal Gains Momentum in Missouri
The Osage Nation's plan for a Class II casino in Missouri is making its way through crucial federal regulatory steps, with public comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) ongoing until September 2, 2025. If all approvals are granted, construction could begin in 2025, with completion expected within 12 to 18 months.
The proposed casino, located in the City of Lake Ozark, will feature a 40,000 square-foot gaming floor dedicated solely to Class I and Class II gaming, excluding traditional slot machines and live-dealer table games. The property, approximately 29 acres in size, will also include a 150-room hotel, five bars and restaurants, a fitness room, an outdoor pool and spa deck, 8,000 square feet of convention space, and 435 parking spaces.
In contrast to other tribal and commercial casinos in Missouri, the Osage Nation’s proposal notably excludes Class III gaming, which typically includes slot machines and live-dealer table games. This approach aligns with a regulatory framework that permits only Class II devices on the trust land without needing state compacts required for Class III casinos.
| Aspect | Osage Nation Class II Casino Proposal | Other Tribal/Commercial Casinos in Missouri | |---------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | Gaming Type | Class I & II only (no slots or live table games) | Predominantly Class III (slots, table games, live dealers) | | Gaming Floor Size | ~40,000 square feet | Varies; Ameristar KC has over 2,200 slots, 66 table games | | Hotel and Amenities | 150-room hotel, food & beverage, fitness, meeting rooms | Hotels with spa, conference centers, entertainment venues | | Regulatory Status | Awaiting federal trust land approval and Two-Part Determination under IGRA, plus governor approval | Fully operational license under state regulatory frameworks | | Economic Impact | Estimated $100.6 million annual local economic activity, 455 permanent jobs | Established significant economic contributors with large-scale operations |
The Osage Nation claims historical ties to Missouri, specifically Lake Ozark, and their project represents a federally regulated tribal Class II gaming facility distinct from Missouri’s existing commercial casinos.
Tribal casinos, regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), generated a record $43.9 billion in gross gaming revenue during the federal government's 2024 fiscal year. The Interior Department has agreed with the Osage's claims, allowing their land to be deemed sovereign pending the EA outcome. The review process includes evaluating the proposed development's impact on the nearby environment and determining if the Osage Nation's plans won't negatively impact the surrounding community.
If approved, the Osage Nation's casino will join the Poarch Band of Creek Indians' three electronic bingo properties under the Wind Creek brand in Alabama, a state without commercial casinos or tribal Class III gaming compacts. Missouri voters last year rejected a statewide referendum that would have allowed Bally's Corp. to build a casino near the Lake of the Ozarks sign, making the Osage Nation's proposal the only casino development currently in the works in the state.
- The Osage Nation's Class II casino proposal, located in Lake Ozark, Missouri, is moving forward through federal regulatory steps.
- The proposal includes a 40,000 square-foot gaming floor for Class I and Class II casino-games, excluding traditional slot machines and live-dealer table games.
- In contrast to other tribal and commercial casinos in Missouri, the Osage Nation’s proposal excludes Class III gaming.
- The proposed casino will also feature a 150-room hotel, five bars and restaurants, a fitness room, an outdoor pool and spa deck, 8,000 square feet of convention space, and 435 parking spaces.
- The Osage Nation claims historical ties to Missouri, specifically Lake Ozark, and their project represents a federally regulated tribal Class II gaming facility.
- Tribal casinos, regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), generated a record $43.9 billion in gross gaming revenue during the federal government's 2024 fiscal year.
- If approved, the Osage Nation's casino will join the Poarch Band of Creek Indians' three electronic bingo properties under the Wind Creek brand in Alabama.
- If all approvals are granted, construction could begin in 2025, with completion expected within 12 to 18 months.
- The review process includes evaluating the proposed development's impact on the nearby environment and determining if the Osage Nation's plans won't negatively impact the surrounding community, which is a significant aspect of casino-culture and general-news discussions.
