Amendment 5 casino initiative would raise millions for schools, communities

SPRINGFIELD, MO – Voters in Missouri will soon decide if a fourteenth casino should be built in the state. Plans call for the hotel and gaming venue to be on the Osage River in Lake Ozark.

Supporters of Amendment 5 are touting the plan as an education initiative with revenue expected to provide more than $14-million each year for early childhood programs.  However, there would also be a lot of money flowing into communities near the casino to pay for public services such as roads, fire, and police.

While some people are against gambling and its potential negative effects on society or simply don’t want that element in their community, we’re focusing on the potential tax revenue and where it would go.

In addition to the education money, the ballot language states there would be an estimated $2.1 million in fee revenue for local communities.

A TV ad by the Yes On Amendment 5 campaign said the money would entail “53% more funding for childhood literacy across Missouri without raising taxes and creating 700 good-paying jobs.”

Jan Zimmerman, chairman of the Missouri Gaming Commission, stated, “They have been great partners in the communities where they’ve been located, you know, providing significant revenue to those home dock cities, which is the places where they are located…to do all kinds of really important community projects like new fire stations and things like that.”

We can get an idea of the possibilities by looking at the state’s thirteen current casinos.  We looked into the Missouri Gaming Commission’s 2023 annual report.  The numbers reveal state casinos employed 6,081 people, and there was a total of $463-million in admission fees and gaming taxes to the state and local governments. And, over 30 years, $8-billion has gone toward education. Furthermore, an additional $1-billion has gone to other charitable organizations and causes during that timeframe.

Zimmerman explained, “The revenue generated from those casinos also is very important to certain charities in the state of Missouri, like the veterans and like mental health…not to advocate because we [Missouri Gaming Commission] are simply the enforcers of the rules.”

The annual report also reveals state casinos bring in about $54-million in real estate and sales taxes of almost 54 million.

Amendment 5 advocates say there would be additional economic benefits with visitors coming to town and spending money in stores, hotels, and restaurants.  However, the ballot language says the local government’s estimated revenue is unknown at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.