The Missouri Constitution permits up to 13 casinos on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
A proposal on the Nov. 5 ballot asks voters to add an additional casino, and locate it on the Osage River.
Constitutional Amendment No. 5 got on the ballot through the initiative petition process. According to language approved by the secretary of state, the amendment would:
Permit the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue a gambling boat license to operate on the Osage River between the Bagnell Dam and the Missouri River.
Require the casino to be within 500 feet of the floodplain established by the federal government.
Require state revenue from the casino to be spent on early childhood literacy programs in public schools.
The proposal is expected to cost the state $763,000 in one-time costs and $2.2 million annually, according to the fiscal note on the ballot. The state would receive $271,000 in initial fee revenue, $2.1 million annually in other fee revenue and $14.3 million in annual gaming tax revenue.
Local governments estimate unknown revenue.
The effort has been spearheaded by Bally’s, which operates a casino in Kansas City, and RIS Inc., a developer based in Eldon. Bally’s has expressed interest in operating the casino if the amendment were to pass, but no formal bidding process has opened so there may be others.
Supporters of the amendment contend:
- It will be an economic driver for the Lake region, adding temporary construction jobs and at least 700 permanent jobs.
- It will generate local tax revenue to be spent on infrastructure.
- It will support education statewide.
Detractors of the amendment contend:
- It will compete with similar plans for a Lake of the Ozarks casino by the Osage Nation.
It will not have much of an effect on the state’s $8.7 billion education budget.
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