Lake Ozark City Board Supports Casino Bill, Thanks Osage Nation For Donations

LAKE OZARK, Mo. — Faced with the prospect of two casinos in or on the outskirts of the city, the Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen voiced support for one, and thanked the group behind the second one for its donations, in a meeting last week.

At its regular board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28, the board voted unanimously to support a resolution in the Missouri legislature that could allow a casino on the Osage River.

House Joint Resolution No. 23 represents the first step in permitting a casino on the Osage River. The resolution would ask Missouri voters to change the constitution in a way that would open the Osage River for riverboat gambling, and would add an additional license to the current number of casino licenses in Missouri.

Lake Ozark residents came to Tuesday’s board meeting to speak both for and against the proposed casino, including a former mayor of Lake Ozark.

“I fear the path that you’ve chosen with gambling will not lead us to greatness. Gambling is an activity that feeds on greed. And those who build and operate these facilities to those who become entangled in its snare, it’s an addictive activity. Greed is never a noble motive, for some to win many must lose,” said Rick Moss, former mayor of Lake Ozark.

Others came in support of the casino, including one man who advocated for the casino’s year-long jobs.

“It’s my opinion that year-round employment is scarce for individuals like myself. With a three-year-old at home, my main priority is to maintain sustainable income for her throughout the year,” said Tyler Dixon. “I believe this proposed casino and convention center will provide individuals like myself the opportunity to year round employment and growth within that employment. Giving us the ability to provide and grow with our families that is so important.”

The board voted unanimously to support the Senate resolution with board members citing that the final decision about the casino should be in the hands of citizens.

“It’s going to be brought to the people involved in the decision. The final decision will come from them. The only issue with this is that it’s not only going to come from the Lake community, it’s going to be statewide,” said Alderman Judy Neels, acknowledging that a general election vote would include the entire state and not just Lake of the Ozarks citizens.

“I think it will be beneficial to the Lake, I think we will profit from it, our revenues will hopefully be good for it,” said Pat Thompson. “I look forward to all the residents of Missouri voting.”

That all dealt with the casino proposed to be developed by a local group of investors called Osage River Gaming.

However, the Osage Nation has also moved to build its own casino in Lake Ozark. The nation purchased a tract of land on Bagnell Dam Blvd. and has cleared the site for future construction. The Osage Nation is not constrained by Missouri Constitutional parameters about casinos; but the nation has to gain approval through the U.S. Dept. of Indian Affairs as well as the Missouri governor.

Meanwhile, the Osage Nation has made substantial donations to Lake area charitable organizations, and at the Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen's Tuesday meeting, the aldermen unanimously passed a resolution acknowledging those donations and thanking the Osage Nation for them.

Osage Casinos CEO Kimberly Pearson, in response to the resolution, issued this statement the following day: “We are proud of our work to bring a world-class entertainment center to the Lake of the Ozarks and appreciate the support we have received from the local community. We are grateful for the unanimous recognition by the Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen for the work we are doing to support the region. Everywhere Osage Nation has a presence, we are dedicated to giving back to the communities we call home by supporting local organizations. To date our philanthropic efforts have seen over $100,000 donated to law enforcement and other local charitable endeavors as part of our ongoing and long-term support of the Lake of the Ozarks community.”

At the board meeting, Mayor Dennis Newberry also spoke about the possibility about another donation form the Osage Nation to the City to help with one of Lake Ozark's biggest issues: the roads.

“The attorney representing the Osage Nation called me about a week ago and we had a brief conversation about the possibility of a future donation that’s earmarked more specifically for roads,” Newberry said. “And in that conversation I suggested that we get the board's input and show recognition for their prior donation. I think the possibility of an upcoming donation is very real.”