This isn’t Netflix
With 99 percent of votes in according to the Associated Press, 1,511,586 voters chose “no” to increase the number of casinos in Missouri to 14. Conversely, 1,371,5234 voted “yes.”
Bally’s, a casino and gaming company, was key in supporting the push for the legalization of Amendment 5 (the ballot initiative). RIS Inc., a development company based in Eldon, Missouri, also provided large financial support during the pre-ballot process.
Estimates from the casino-backers suggested the casino would have created at least 700 permanent jobs and $14 million in annual gaming tax revenue at the tourist-rich Lake of the Ozarks.
The tax money had been earmarked for improving childhood literacy in public schools.
The campaign generated $6.5 million in support ahead of the election, per campaign finance reports. It also had the support of the Osage Nation, which presented a $60 million proposal that included plans for a casino, restaurants, a hotel, and an entertainment venue.
The Osage nation first registered interest in a casino at the Lake of the Ozarks in 2002.
Sports betting on the way
The Osage Nation acquired land for a proposed casino build site and submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Interior in 2021. The application is still pending federal approval and the Missouri Governor’s signature.
The process of getting the casino proposal in front of voters was far from straightforward. A Cole County judge had to rule to allow voters to decide on the fate of the casino after the initiative was initially thrown out due to campaigners allegedly collecting invalid signatures.
The Osage River and Gaming Convention successfully appealed the decision, arguing that 2,500 signatures were improperly disregarded.
While the casino initiative failed, Missourians are on course to legalize sports betting. With more than 95 percent of votes in, a narrow majority of voters approved Amendment 2, which would bring legal sports betting to Missouri.
At the time of writing, there are 1,468,306 verified “Yes” votes and “No” votes 1,463,940—a difference of just 4,366.
Professional sports teams in Missouri have long supported the legalization of sports betting. The lack of progress even led to rumors that the Kansas City Chiefs could relocate to Kansas or Texas, where the team played its first game.
