Missouri campaign submits 320,000 signatures for Osage River casino initiative

In Missouri, the Osage River Gaming & Convention committee submitted 320,000 signatures for a ballot initiative that would allow for a new casino boat on the Osage River.

Currently, Missouri state law allows for the Missouri Gaming Commission to distribute 13 gambling licenses, and only allows for these licenses for facilities operating on the Missouri River or Mississippi River. This measure would revise the Missouri Constitution to allow for an additional gambling license for an excursion gambling boat that would operate on the portion of the Osage River from the Missouri River to the Bagnell Dam.

According to the ballot summary, the casino is expected to bring in $2.1 million annually in revenue for admission and fees, and $14.3 million annually in revenue from the annual gaming tax. Under the measure, revenue derived from the issuance of the gambling boat license will go to early childhood literacy programs.

In Missouri, the number of signatures required to qualify an initiated constitutional amendment for the ballot is equal to 8 percent of the votes cast for governor in the previous gubernatorial election in six of the eight state congressional districts. This means that the absolute minimum of valid signatures required statewide is 171,592 total.

Three other initiative campaigns submitted signatures in Missouri to make the deadline on May 5, 2024. The other initiatives are:

• An amendment that would provide the right to reproductive freedom, including the right to an abortion,
• An amendment that would legalize and regulate sports wagering in Missouri, and
• A statute that would increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour in 2026 and provide for paid sick leave.