• The Osage Nation is working with local leaders in Lake Ozark on its casino blueprint
• The goal is for the tribal casino to be mutually beneficial
• The federal government still must approve the $100 million development

The Osage Nation continues to seek federal approval to open a $100 million Indian casino on land it owns at the northeastern corner of the intersection of Bagnell Dam Boulevard and Osage Beach Parkway.

A rendering of the Osage Nation’s Lake of the Ozarks casino. Local government officials have proposed a revenue-sharing agreement for the tribal resort. (Image: Osage Nation)

The Osage Nation contends it has historical ties to Lake Ozark and believes the approximately 29 acres of land it acquired in 2021 should be taken into the federal trust. The land in question was where a dilapidated Quality Inn was torn down in 2022.

The EA is critical in the federal government’s decision to take newly acquired tribal lands into trust. To qualify, tribes must demonstrate that their plans for the land would not negatively impact the surrounding community and the nearby environment.

Local Collaboration

Missouri is home to riverboat casinos on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Missourians voted against a ballot referendum last fall that would have included the Osage River and a 14th riverboat license to pave the way for Bally’s to construct a casino resort near the Lake of the Ozarks sign at the junction of Highway 54 and Route 242.

City of Lake Ozark officials say their willingness to work with the Osage Nation is not a support of casino gambling but simply an effort to ensure that the region benefits from the development, should the federal government authorize it. Recently, Ozark Aldermen revealed a tentative agreement between the city and tribe.

The city government has proposed agreeing to collect 2.5% of the Osage casino’s gross gaming revenue, 1% of hotel room revenue, and an annual $100K contribution to the Lake Ozark Police Department. The total benefits are projected at nearly $2 million annually.

They’re going to be using our water and our sewer, using our roads, and using our police department,” said Lake Ozark Mayor David Ridgely. “They were great to work with.”

Ridgely added that the goal of the city working with the tribe is to make sure “the City of Lake Ozark comes out ahead.”

Regional Benefits

Missouri does not enter into Class III gaming compacts, meaning the Osage Ozarks casino, should it come to reality, would not include live dealer table games, sports betting, or traditional slot machines. The tribal casino instead plans to offer about 750 slot-like electronic bingo machines, as permitted by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Tribal gaming conducted under the federal law is not required to share revenue with local or state governments. Osage leaders, however, say it’s their intent for the development to benefit the entire Lake Ozark community.

The entertainment center will dramatically expand the Lake-area’s tourism footprint, generating jobs and economic opportunity, and serving as a new revenue engine for the local and state tax base,” the tribe said. The tribe has also pledged “philanthropic contributions” to schools, first responders, local charities, and community improvement projects.

Along with the 40K-square-foot casino, the Osage Ozarks development plan calls for a 150-room hotel, 6K square feet of meeting space, and several restaurants and bars.

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