Osage Nation Planning Casino, Hotel for Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks

The Osage Nation Indian Tribe, the Native American tribe that gave its name to the Osage River, wants to bring a casino-hotel to the Lake of the Ozarks, the biggest tourist attraction on that river.

Osage Nation Indian Tribe will invest $60 million to develop a hotel featuring a casino, restaurants, and entertainment venues

According to the news release, the Osage Nation Indian Tribe will invest approximately $60 million to develop a hotel featuring gambling, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Although the casino will be in Miller County, the news release did not specify an exact location. The project is expected to be completed in multiple phases and will bring in new jobs, tourism, and revenue.

“We have established very good relationships with several communities in Missouri and seek to have a presence back in our homeland,” Osage Nation Tribe Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear said in the release.

Additionally, the release quotes current and former lawmakers from the region, along with tourism and economic development officials.

Missouri Sens. Mike Bernskoetter, Justin Brown look forward to Osage Nation’s development project

State Sens. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, and Justin Brown, R-Rolla, were asked about Osage Nation’s future plans. Both said they are thrilled to see new jobs come to the region.

“I am happy the Osage Nation is exploring economic development opportunities in their ancestral homeland,” said Bernskoetter. “It sounds like a promising opportunity to bring jobs to Missouri. … I am looking forward to working with the Osage Nation as this project develops.”

Bernskoetter represents the counties on the north side of the lake and Brown represents counties on the south side.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the Lake Region and our entire state,” Brown said. “I look forward to working with the Osage Nation, community leaders, and my colleagues in the Legislature to make this a reality and welcome the Nation home.”

Any land purchased would have to be put into a trust for the nation by the Department of the Interior. The nation must negotiate a compact with the state, establishing “taxation by the Indian tribe of such activity in amounts comparable to amounts assessed by the state for comparable activities.”

Missouri Gaming Commission regulates the 13 licensed casinos

Gov. Mike Parson, or his successor, would have to approve the compact, according to federal law. Tribes have the legal right to offer gambling “for any purpose by any person, organization, or entity.”

Furthermore, the Missouri Gaming Commission, which regulates the 13 licensed casinos operating in the state, has not discussed the proposed casino, Chairman Mike Leara said in an interview Friday with The Independent.

“There are still a lot of hurdles that are quite large, I would suspect,” Leara said. “Having legislative support is probably helpful to their cause, but I don’t think it gets them over the line.”

Missouri limits operators to 13 casino licenses and requires them to be located along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Casinos pay 21% of their net revenues to the state. Online casinos are also available for bettors.

According to the Missouri Department of Economic Development Division of Tourism, tourism in Miller County, where the project will be located, currently generates approximately $40.7 million and 682 jobs annually to the overall impact of tourism in the state.

In adjacent Camden County, tourism is responsible for $187.45 million and 3,958 jobs.