Approval of Amendment 5 would allow a casino to be built at Lake Ozark

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ)

Voters who haven't yet cast their ballots will be faced with the question of whether they support a casino on the Osage River in Lake Ozark.

Voting yes on Amendment 5 would change the state constitution to allow for 14 gambling boat licenses instead of the current 13. This would open the door for a casino to be built in Lake Ozark along the Osage River.

The official ballot language states:

"Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

• allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue one additional gambling boat license to operate on the portion of the Osage River from the Missouri River to the Bagnell Dam;
• require the prescribed location shall include artificial spaces that contain water and are within 500 feet of the 100-year base flood elevation as established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
• require all state revenues derived from the issuance of the gambling boat license shall be appropriated to early-childhood literacy programs in public institutions of elementary education?"

If the amendment passes, the Missouri Gaming Commission would have to award the license before any casino could be built.

Yes on 5 Spokesperson John Hancock said the proposed facility would be built on a 40-acre plot about one mile from the Bagnell Dam just off Highway 54. He said the land is currently a quarry, adjacent to Osage National Golf Course.

Hancock said the facility will include a 300-room hotel, convention center and casino floor. He said it is meant to be a sort of tourist destination to bring people to the Lake of the Ozarks area no matter the time of year.

"It'll really be a first-of-its-kind, year-round attraction to a part of the state whose whole economy is based on tourism," Hancock said.

However, the Missouri Gaming Association said in a statement Thursday it does not support a casino on the Osage River.

"Voters in 1994 chose to place casinos along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers," the statement said. "Once those rivers were accommodated, the Missouri Gaming Association led an effort to cap the number of casinos in the state. We do not support opening casino gaming to an additional waterway nor believe that the Missouri Constitution needs to be changed for any gaming issues."

If passed, the measure is expected to bring in $2.1 million annually for the lake community and $14.3 million in tax revenue for early childhood literacy programs through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

A DESE spokesperson said they cannot speak on pending ballot measures, but ensures any funds generated would be subject to the standard appropriations process in the Missouri General Assembly.

Lake Ozark Mayor Dennis Newberry did not respond for comment Thursday.

Ballot language says the government estimates a cost of $2.2 million annually with a one-time cost of $763,000 for the amendment. Hancock said the project won't be built using state funds, but will instead be developed by local developer Gary Prewitt and Bally's Corporation.

Bally's currently owns and operates a casino in Kansas City. Hancock said the company has been a partner with Yes on 5 and expects the organization to partner in the development, as well. A Bally's spokesperson did not respond for comment Thursday.

Hancock said a casino on the Osage River would create 500 construction jobs and 700 permanent casino jobs.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Scott White said nine additional MSHP officers will need to be hired to be assigned to the casino.

If Amendment 5 passes on Tuesday, Hancock said the casino will likely take a few months to become licensed. From there, development is estimated to take about 18 months with an expected opening date in 2026.

This comes as the Osage Nation is also working to put a casino on the Osage River. Representatives for the Osage Nation did not respond for comment Thursday.