Osage Nation Casino Progresses Near Lake Ozark
Development Advancements for Osage Nation Casino
The Osage Nation Casino project is moving forward on a 28-acre site near Lake Ozark, located in Miller County, Missouri. This marks an important milestone in what has been a lengthy and complex approval process.
Efforts thus far have involved securing multiple local agreements concerning infrastructure improvements, service provisions, and revenue distribution.
Legal Approvals and Revenue Sharing Agreements
The initial proposal for a casino in this location was publicized in October 2021 by the Osage Nation, a federally recognized Native American tribe based in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Their plan involves developing a $60 million hotel complex featuring a casino, restaurants, and entertainment facilities.
Administrator Harrison Fry recently announced positive developments, confirming that the Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a declination letter which serves as a necessary legal step, validating the enforceability of one of the key agreements related to the project.
“This document resolves some of the remaining issues on the revenue sharing front and indicates the federal process is nearing completion,” Fry explained.
Harrison Fry
The revenue sharing agreement requires the casino to allocate 2.5% of its net earnings, anticipated to be over $2 million annually, to local stakeholders.
Separately, the Osage Nation has initiated construction of a Cultural Center located in the spacious parking area near Bagnell Dam, with an expected opening date in June 2026.
Ongoing Efforts and Legislative Context
Currently, Missouri permits casino operations primarily on riverboats along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, with a limited number of gaming licenses available.
In 2024, initiatives were made to increase the number of available licenses, specifically to accommodate the Osage River Casino project. The revenue generated from this casino would be directed toward funding early childhood education programs.
In November 2025, a private group called Osage River Gaming and Conventions announced plans to launch another campaign to amend the state constitution to allow for new casino licenses, despite a similar proposal being rejected by voters a year earlier.
This effort aims to establish a casino on the Osage River along Highway 54, potentially creating competition between two casinos in the Lake Ozark region.
