Over 320,000 Missourian voters have signed a petition seeking to greenlight a casino at Lake of the Ozarks. After four consecutive failures to get the casino question on the ballot, the matter may finally be put to voters.

For context, the Missouri constitution only allows casinos to be constructed near the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. This means that the people of the state must vote in favor of a constitutional amendment in order to expand the list of waterways that allow gaming.  

The signatures will now be verified by the state. For reference, the number of certified signatures needed to get the matter to the ballot is approximately 173,000.

If the Lake of the Ozarks casino secures the Missourian voters’ approval, the state will get a new resort featuring a hotel, casino, spa, restaurants, shops and a convention center, among other facilities. This is a significant departure from the traditional riverboat model other casinos in the model still use.

While Missouri legally defines casinos as “excursion gambling boats,” it interprets this term rather broadly and, in 2021, amended the definition to include “nonfloating facilities.” Casinos can also be on the shore, as long as they are within 1,000 feet of the Missouri or Mississippi River and have at least 2,000 gallons of water inside or underneath the facility in rigid or semi-rigid containers, tanks or structures.

The Project Will Provide Benefits to the Local Economy  

The Lake of the Ozarks casino question is being promoted by the Osage River Gaming & Conventions (ORGC) investor group. The group, which turned to polling after failing to get the casino matter to appear on the ballot previously, is optimistic about its momentum.

The organization pointed out that the project will generate significant benefits for the local economy. For example, tax revenue from the project will provide local schools with a significant boost. Local revenue, on the other hand, will fuel a variety of public services, including infrastructural upgrades.

Additionally, proponents expect the Lake of the Ozarks casino to bolster tourism. The 20-acre property’s facilities will provide a variety of entertainment options to gaming and non-gaming visitors alike.

The new property will be run by Bally’s Corporation and will create between 700 and 800 permanent jobs.

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In a significant boost for the proposed casino development at Lake of the Ozarks, the Miller County Commission has unanimously endorsed the initiative led by Osage River Gaming and Convention (ORGC) in collaboration with Bally’s Corporation. This latest show of support comes as the local gaming group strives to bypass the General Assembly by garnering signatures for an initiative petition slated for the statewide November 2024 ballot.

Commission Unanimously Backs Lake Casino, Surprised by Tom Wright’s Endorsement

The commission’s decision follows a brief public comment session, where even former longtime Presiding Commissioner Tom Wright, known for his reservations about the casino, conceded that the county would benefit from the development, albeit not to the extent touted by proponents, reported KRMS Radio. Wright’s opinion underscores the ongoing debate about the economic impact of the proposed casino on the Lake area.

ORGC aims to establish the casino in the vicinity of the quarry near the Osage River Bridge, utilizing a portion of the 90-acre Eagles’ Landing Phase 4 property. This collaboration with Bally’s Corporation, as outlined in a recent letter to the City of Lake Ozark, reflects the gaming group’s commitment to the project’s success.

The casino project, if ultimately approved, will not be a traditional riverboat casino, as ORGC is not obligated to adhere to this specific format under Missouri law. The state’s regulations allow for casinos to be built on the shore, provided they meet certain requirements. Eagles’ Landing Phase 4 falls within the 1,000 feet limit of the Osage River floodplain, complying with the legal framework.

ORGC’s Innovative Vision Redefines Lake of the Ozarks Entertainment

The proposed development goes beyond just the casino, with ORGC envisioning the utilization of approximately 20 acres for the gaming facility and the remaining space dedicated to a hotel, convention center, restaurants, and shops. This comprehensive approach aligns with the evolving landscape of casino establishments, moving away from the traditional riverboat model.

Importantly, the local endorsement received by ORGC is distinct from the efforts of Osage Nation Gaming group, which is still pursuing approval for a separate casino in Lake Ozark, despite facing resistance from the city. The city’s main concern revolves around the potential lack of state regulation and taxation for this alternative casino proposal.

As both gaming groups navigate the complex landscape of approvals, the local community remains engaged in discussions, weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks of these contrasting casino projects for the picturesque Lake of the Ozarks region. The coming months are poised to be crucial as stakeholders await further developments in this unfolding saga.

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Jordan Lewis Cook, a former Gun Lake Casino employee responsible for maintaining and unclogging the casino’s cash-out machines, has confessed to stealing over $84,500 in cash over a span of 14 months. 

The Casino Worker to Return $84,564 Stolen from Indian Tribal Organization

The federal charge against Cook is for theft from an Indian Tribal Organization, which carries a potential punishment of up to five years in prison and a hefty fine of $250,000. Cook is scheduled to be sentenced in January.

The series of thefts occurred between September 2021 and November 2022 at the popular Allegan County casino operated by the Gun Lake Tribe. Cook’s responsibilities included helping clear jams in the cash-out machines located in and around the casino floor. To perform this task, he used a key card to open the machines, removed the cassettes holding currency in various denominations, and addressed any misfed or crinkled bills. Shockingly, he would also pilfer cash from the machines during this process, as revealed in the ‘factual basis of guilt’ contained in the plea agreement.

Cook admitted to stealing various denominations of cash on at least 32 separate occasions, resulting in a staggering total of $84,564, which he then converted for personal use.

The federal theft charge against Cook was initially indicted in March. Following his arraignment in May and his release on $10,000 bail, Cook and his legal team opted for a plea agreement, ultimately admitting his guilt in late August. The plea deal stipulates that Cook must make full restitution of the stolen money to Gun Lake Casino. 

Another Michigan Casino Worker Faces Million-Dollar Bail in $700,000 Embezzlement Case

Another similar case in the state saw Danika Young, a 38-year-old cash cage supervisor at the Four Winds Hartford Casino in Michigan, accused of embezzling $700,000. She was arrested and her bail was set at $1 million.

Young claimed she received a call instructing her to take the money to Indiana, but the funds remain unrecovered. She faced charges related to embezzlement and could potentially serve up to 20 years in prison if sentenced. Judge Arthur Clarke expressed concern about the missing money and set a high bail to prevent Young from disappearing.

At the same time in neighboring Minnesota, Blake Carl Fitzgerald faced potential prison time for operating an illegal gambling scheme on TikTok and Discord. Over three months, he allegedly received $65,103 from customers through CashApp and Venmo, then live-streamed himself playing slot games at casinos, with subscribers choosing the machines.

Fitzgerald kept more than half of the winnings and charged subscribers $5.99, communicating with them on Discord. He now faces three counts of running an illegal gambling operation, which could result in up to three years in prison and significant fines.

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Tilman Fertitta’s company owns five Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino properties. Following the transaction’s completion, there are plans to remodel Hard Rock Lake Tahoe into a Golden Nugget, expanding the company’s presence in the Northern Nevada market. The property was last remodeled in 2015 when Paragon licensed the Hard Rock name from the Seminole Indian Tribe.

New Life for Hard Rock Lake Tahoe

Although the price isn’t yet disclosed, the announcement contained approximate transaction completion dates. Taking into account regulatory approvals and other closing conditions, it should be seven to 12 months before Fertitta officially owns Hard Rock Lake Tahoe. No further details were mentioned about a possible date for the remodeling.

However, Tahoe Daily Tribune’s report outlined Fertitta’s excitement about the prospect, and it made clear that the remodeling plan will be put into motion as soon as possible. It also contained words from Paragon Gaming’s chief executive officer – Diana Bennett – who said the company was looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this historic property.

It’s a 539-room casino hotel that sits on 24 acres of land, with 25,000 square feet dedicated to the casino. Hard Rock Lake Tahoe is one of four hotel-casinos in the South Lake Tahoe gaming market and sits across Bally’s Lake Tahoe. However, Nevada’s regulators still need to approve the purchase, and regular transaction conditions still need to be met, before it can begin its new journey.

Fertitta’s Track Record Inspires Confidence

Tilman Fertitta’s name is hugely popular in the industry, and for good reason. He is a well-known businessman, a billionaire, and a TV personality. Additionally, the Golden Nugget brand has been enjoying recognition and a good name for years, so many people are optimistic this could be a good move for the market in the region.

Although this is the first step for Fertitta Entertainment in this region, the operator also has two more Golden Nugget establishments in the state of Nevada – one is in Laughlin, and the other is in Las Vegas. The Strip has been another focal point for the investor. He purchased 6.2 acres of land on the Las Vegas Strip for $270 million last summer and announced his plans for a hotel and casino there.

Additionally, Fertitta became the second-largest shareholder of Wynn Resorts Ltd at the tail end of October 2022, further strengthening the notion that The Strip is definitely a point of interest for Fertitta and other investors. He bought 6.9 million Wynn shares, which moved the needle in Wynn’s share prices both in the premarket, as well as on the day’s closure.

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On Wednesday, a Missouri House committee reviewed a proposal to allow residents to vote for the expansion of casino gambling in the state

The House Joint Resolution 23 was sponsored by Rep. Jeff Knight, R-Lebanon, and if approved, will authorize the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue a permit to a gaming venue on the Osage River. According to Rep. Knight, a new casino in the Ozarks area would generate approximately $100 million yearly.

Casinos in the state are expected to pay 25% of their revenue in tax, meaning that the new casino could give the state around $25 million annually. Missouri currently has 13 gaming venues in the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

The proposed casino will likely be constructed on Lake Ozark, which boasts a population of 2,000. According to Mayor Dennis Newberry, Lake Ozark needed approximately $25 million generated by capital improvement projects the city was ill-equipped to afford. He also noted that Lake Ozark would greatly benefit from the annual $2.5 million received in gaming revenue.

Other HJR 23 supporters, including Rep. David Tyson Smith, D-Columbia, asserted that the new casino would aid local businesses by attracting more tourists to the city.

The Osage Nation has expressed interest in building a casino in the city; however, the tribe’s immunity to the state law means that the HJR 23 had no direct effect on its development. The tribe has already bought some property in Lake Ozark in preparation for the casino and commenced clearing it for possible construction.

Miller County commissioner Don Abbett revealed that he was in support of the House Joint Resolution 23 mainly because a state-approved casino in the area was better than the alternative. He, however, did not extend his support for a casino owned by the Osage Nation in Lake Ozark.

According to the commissioner, an Osage casino in the city would not be subject to paying taxes and, as a result, acquire an advantage over future state casinos. The gaming venue would also not provide any tangible support to the community.

The CEO of the Osage Nation Gaming Enterprise Board, Kimberly Pearson, countered Abbett’s comments by claiming that the Osage Casino would make charitable donations to the community in place of the taxes. The tribe reportedly already made several in the past.

Referencing a 2013 study of tribal gaming venues in Oklahoma, Bryce Crowley, the board’s legal counsel, revealed tribal casinos have contributed significantly to the state’s economy.

“‘The number of gaming tables in an Oklahoma county is significantly related to large increases in median household income and large decreases in the unemployment rate, level of violent crime and level of property crime,’” stated Crowley.

A number of Lake Ozark residents have already expressed some trepidation over the bill, claiming that it could increase the crime rate in the city. Some also questioned why a statewide ballot measure should be able to decide if the city needed a casino.

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