The ongoing campaign to establish a casino at the Lake of the Ozarks has seen significant progress as the driving force behind the cause, an assembly of investors working under the name Osage River Gaming & Convention (ORGC), delivered over 320,000 signatures from Missouri residents to the office of State Secretary Jay Ashcroft on Sunday.
The numbers appear promising for ORGC: if a majority of 171,592 or more of the delivered signatures are certified as legitimate, a statewide referendum is set for the November ballot, which could lead to the authorization of casino gaming on the Osage River and the issuance of an additional riverboat casino license.
The group, in collaboration with Bally’s Corporation, envisions the conversion of the region below the Bagnell Dam on the south side of US 54 in Lake Ozark into a vibrant gaming and entertainment hub. With Bally’s acting as the development partner and potential future casino and hotel operator, the coalition aims to introduce not only a riverboat casino but also a convention hall.
For months now, Osage River Gaming has diligently rallied to collect sufficient voter support to accomplish its goal, escalating its efforts on the heels of a unanimous resolution approving the casino initiative from the Miller County Commission, whose jurisdiction encompasses the eastern flank of Lake Ozarks.
The ORGC expressed optimism, stating that if voters greenlight the project, the proposed resort, complete with a casino, hotel, convention center, assorted dining options, a spa, and many more attractions, will significantly boost tourism and stimulate the local economy year-round.
Despite a potentially challenging financial position due to proposals for massive casino developments in other parts of the nation such as Chicago, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, Bally’s remains highly engaged in the ORGC partnership. Chairman Soo Kim assured in a recent GGB podcast that Bally’s, as a mid-sized gaming company, operates best in regional markets such as the Ozarks.
However, this ambitious venture does not come without complications. It is likely to face opposition from the Osage Nation, an Oklahoma-based tribe claiming historical ties to the region. The tribe is currently embroiled in a federal battle for land rights near the Lake of the Ozarks for their own tribal casino.
Regardless, it seems the ORGC is prepared for a fight, having amassed almost $4 million to support their campaign for the casino. Apart from this, another gaming proposal has collected an excess of 340,000 signatures supporting a sports betting referendum, suggesting potential expansion of Missouri’s gaming industry. If Ashcroft’s office confirms the validity of the required signatures, and if the referenda are endorsed by the majority of voters, board games and riverboat slot machines on the Osage could finally breathe life, and grant the Missouri Gaming Commission the right to concede a 14th gaming license.
As the twinkling waters of Lake Ozarks continue to mesmerize tourists and locals alike, it remains to be seen whether the wheels of fortune will turn in their favor this coming November.
