News

Missouri Amendment 5, the Osage River Gambling Boat License Initiative, is on the ballot in Missouri as an initiated constitutional amendment

Published

1 month ago

November 3, 2024

A “yes” vote supports allowing the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue one additional gambling boat license to operate on the portion of the Osage River from the Missouri River to the Bagnell Dam.

A “no” vote opposes allowing the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue one additional gambling boat license to operate on the portion of the Osage River from the Missouri River to the Bagnell Dam.

The official ballot title is as follows

Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to: allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue one additional gambling boat license to operate on the portion of the Osage River from the Missouri River to the Bagnell Dam; require the prescribed location shall include artificial spaces that contain water and are within 500 feet of the 100-year base flood elevation as established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and require all state revenues derived from the issuance of the gambling boat license shall be appropriated to early-childhood literacy programs in public institutions of elementary education? State governmental entities estimate one-time costs of $763,000, ongoing costs of $2.2 million annually, initial fee revenue of $271,000, ongoing admission and other fee revenue of $2.1 million annually, and annual gaming tax revenue of $14.3 million. Local governments estimate unknown revenue.

Text of Section 39(e): Riverboat Gambling Authorized on Missouri and Mississippi Rivers–Boats in Moats Authorized

1. The general assembly is authorized to permit upon the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers only, which shall include artificial spaces that contain water and that are within 1000 feet of the closest edge of the main channel of either of those rivers, lotteries, gift enterprises and games of chance to be conducted on excursion gambling boats and floating facilities. Any license issued before or after the adoption date of this amendment for any excursion gambling boat or floating facility located in any such artificial space shall be deemed to be authorized by the General Assembly and to be in compliance with this Section.

2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, lotteries, gift enterprises, and games of chance may be conducted on excursion gambling boats and floating facilities licensed by the Missouri Gaming Commission upon the portion of the Osage River from the Missouri River to the Bagnell Dam, which shall include artificial spaces that contain water and that are within 500 feet of the 100-year base flood elevation as established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

3. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, in addition to such licenses as have been authorized prior to January 1, 2024, the Missouri Gaming Commission shall issue one additional excursion gambling boat license. Such license shall only be issued to an excursion gambling boat that will operate upon the portion of the Osage River from the Missouri River to the Bagnell Dam.

4. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, all state revenues derived from the issuance of excursion gambling boat licenses issued after January 1, 2024 shall only be appropriated to early-childhood literacy programs in public institutions of elementary education and shall not be included within the definition of “total state revenues” in section 17 of article X of this constitution.

5. The state auditor shall perform an annual audit of the revenues received and appropriated pursuant to this section to ensure they are being used only for authorized purposes. The state auditor shall make such audit available to the public, the governor, and the general assembly.

Opposition

Opponents

American Indian Tribes

Osage Nation

Arguments

Meg Cunningham, reporter at The Beacon: “The amendment comes amid an effort from Osage Nation to build a casino at the Lake of the Ozarks. Osage Nation acquired land at the Lake of the Ozarks in 2021 and officially launched a plan to build a casino, which requires coordination with the federal government and clearance from the governor.”
The Osage River Gaming and Convention (Yes on 5) is the campaign registered in support of the initiative.

Support
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the measure.

Committees in support of Amendment 5

Status of gambling in Missouri
As of 2024, there are certain forms of gambling in Missouri that are legal:
Casino gambling: As of 2024, there were 13 licensed riverboat casinos in Missouri. The casinos must be located on or near a body of water. The Missouri Gaming Commission oversaw the licensing and regulation of these casinos.^[2]
Lottery: The Missouri Lottery was created in 1985. The proceeds from the lottery support public education in the state.^[6]
Charitable gaming: Charitable games, including licensed bingo, pull-tabs, merchandise coin boards, was restricted to qualified licensed religious, charitable, fraternal, veteran, and service organizations. All bingo tax was deposited into the Proceeds for Education Fund.^[7]
Daily Fantasy Sports: Daily Fantasy Sports was legalized in Missouri in 2016. DFS operators must be licensed by the Missouri Gaming Commission and adhere to regulations designed to protect consumers. Operators include DraftKings, FanDuel, and others.^[8]
As of 2024, sports betting was illegal in the state. Illegal gambling, including unlicensed games, was prohibited. The Missouri Gaming Commission was responsible for enforcing gambling laws and regulations in the state.^[2]
Casinos in Missouri
As of 2024, there were 13 casinos operating in Missouri. They were:
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa: Located in St. Charles, Missouri^[9]
Ameristar Casino Hotel: Located in Kansas City, Missouri^[9]
Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa: Located in Riverside, Missouri^[9]
Bally’s Kansas City: Located in Kansas City, Missouri^[9]
Century Casino Cape Girardeau: Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri^[9]
Century Casino Caruthersville: Located in Caruthersville, Missouri^[9]
Harrah’s North Kansas City: Located in North Kansas City, Missouri^[9]
Hollywood Casino St. Louis: Located in Maryland Heights, Missouri^[9]
Isle of Capri Casino Hotel: Located in Boonville, Missouri^[9]
Horseshoe St. Louis: Located in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri^[9]
Mark Twain Casino: Located in La Grange, Missouri^[9]
River City Casino & Hotel: Located in Lemay, Missouri^[9]
St. Jo Frontier Casino: Located in St. Joseph, Missouri

Related Topics:boating featured gambling Lake of the ozarks Missouri

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2 days ago

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Shawn Kober is an individual known for his passion for travel and exploration, particularly within the United States. With a keen interest in showcasing the hidden gems of Missouri, Shawn has leveraged his enthusiasm through his social media presence, notably on X under the handle @travelmissouri. His content focuses on promoting local attractions, cultural heritage, and lesser-known destinations, making travel accessible and appealing to a broad audience.

Recently, Shawn has stepped up his multimedia game by releasing a series of music mixes. These mixes blend ambient sounds of nature, cultural tunes from Missouri, and contemporary beats, creating a unique auditory experience that complements his visual storytelling. This new venture into music curation not only diversifies his content but also enhances the sensory journey for his followers, providing a soundtrack to the scenic landscapes he often explores and shares.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Shawn is involved in community initiatives aimed at preserving natural landscapes and historical sites in Missouri. He believes in the power of travel to educate and connect people, fostering a deeper appreciation for one’s surroundings.Professionally, Shawn has carved out a niche in digital content creation, blending his love for photography, storytelling, and travel into a career that informs and inspires others to explore. His work often highlights sustainable travel practices and the importance of understanding and respecting local cultures and environments.

Shawn’s personal journey is one of continuous learning and adventure, always seeking new experiences to share with his followers, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and discover the beauty in their own backyards. His bio is not just about travel; it’s about creating a narrative that connects people to places, history, and each other.

Lifestyle

Camdenton’s Transparency in Question: COVID Funds Spent on Video System, Meetings No Longer Broadcast

Published

2 days ago

December 2, 2024

Shawn Kober

CAMDENTON, MO – In the small town of Camdenton, Missouri, a recent expenditure of federal COVID relief funds has sparked controversy and debate over local government transparency. The Camdenton City Council, aiming to enhance public access during the height of the global health crisis, invested in a video system to broadcast their meetings online. This move was initially seen as a step towards greater openness, allowing residents to engage with local governance without the risk of contracting the virus.

However, residents have recently noticed that these public meetings are no longer being streamed. Despite the significant investment in equipment designed to facilitate remote participation, the council has seemingly ceased using the system for broadcasting. This development has led to a wave of frustration among the community members who have come to rely on these virtual meetings for staying informed about local governance issues.

The equipment, which was purchased with funds intended to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, was supposed to be a long-term solution for public engagement. The cessation of broadcasts has led to speculation and concern about how these funds are being managed and what the implications are for future public access to government proceedings.

Council members have yet to issue an official statement on why the broadcasts stopped, although there have been unverified reports of technical difficulties with the equipment. Some speculate that the decision might be tied to some bad publicly earlier in the year when the Camdenton Chamber raised some concerns with the city on a different topic.

The issue has caught the attention of local media, with some outlets like the Camden Citizen reporting on the matter. The broader conversation now includes calls for accountability, with residents demanding explanations and assurances that such investments will not be made in vain in the future.

This situation in Camdenton serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges many small towns face in balancing fiscal responsibility with public service during and after a global health crisis. As the town looks forward, the community hopes for a resolution that not only addresses the current lack of transparency but also ensures that future decisions reflect the needs and expectations of its citizens.

For now, Camdenton residents are left pondering the effectiveness of their local government’s use of federal funds and the ongoing commitment to open governance.