Missouri moves closer to possible Lake of Ozarks casino

Voters would have to decide to amend the state Constitution to move the project forward.

Missouri could gain another casino near Lake of the Ozarks, according to a local news report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Missouri Secretary of State’s office has agreed to language on a proposed ballot initiative that would give voters the option to approve amending the Missouri Constitution.

More specifically, voters could decide to approve changing the Constitution to make way for a 14th gambling boat license.

Four petitions are up for circulation, and supporters would need to choose one of those and collect at least 170,000 signatures. Once those are collected, the motion to include amending the Constitution would be on next year’s ballot.

If more than half of voters pull the lever for a “yes,” the amendment could become part of Missouri law, according to the local report.

Osage River Gaming’s Tim Hand told local news that a petition could be selected “within two weeks.” The company currently supports the new initiative.

If approved, the proposed $10m casino project would be located below Bagnell Dam along the Osage River. Tax revenue from wagers would be used for “education-related spending, ranging from early childhood literacy programs to teacher salaries,” the local report said.

Missouri recently joined a small number of US states addressing the question of whether smoking should be permitted within its casinos.

A measure was on the table in St. Louis County to ban smoking within casinos. Up until now, casinos have been excluded from the current indoor smoking ban that has been in effect countywide since 2011.

Carlos Mendez

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