ORGC Readies Second Bid for Casino Approval in Missouri

A group of private investors is rekindling their ambition to establish a casino along the Osage River, potentially setting the stage for a showdown between two casinos in Lake Ozark. The consortium, known as Osage River Gaming and Conventions (ORGC), is geared up to launch another campaign to amend Missouri’s constitution just a year after voters narrowly rejected a similar proposal. This time, they’ve set their sights on a parcel of land along Highway 54 near the Osage River, hoping that a nuanced approach might sway public opinion.

Investor Andy Prewitt revealed that the team has regained the support of Miller County officials and plans to present their case to the Lake Ozark City Council this week. Should the local government give its approval, ORGC intends to start gathering petition signatures by the end of November. Last year, ORGC heavily invested in a statewide campaign for Amendment 5, seeking to permit a casino on the Osage River below Bagnell Dam. Despite their extensive efforts, the proposal was rejected by a thin margin—52.5% against and 47.5% in favor. This year, however, the team is refining their strategy, updating the ballot language, and planning to submit the revised proposal to the Missouri

Investor Tim Hand emphasized the importance of persistence, noting that many successful ballot measures in Missouri required multiple attempts to garner public support. If the ORGC proposal makes it to the 2026 ballot, it will have to contend with a new legislative measure known as Initiative Petition Reform, designed to make amending the state constitution more challenging. Should this reform pass, future projects aiming to establish casinos outside the Missouri and Mississippi rivers may face increased hurdles.

Currently, Missouri law allows casino boats on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, regulating the number of gaming licenses. The 2024 plan sought to expand this by proposing a license for the Osage River location, with tax revenues earmarked for early childhood education programs. Although the initiative received backing in urban centers like Kansas City and St. Louis, it faced strong opposition from rural voters, particularly in southern Missouri. Even within the Lake of the Ozarks region, local counties voted against the proposal. Nonetheless, ORGC believes that shifting economic conditions and ongoing community discussions may sway voters to reconsider the potential benefits. If successful, Lake Ozark could soon be at the center of one of Missouri’s most closely watched casino developments.