Osage tribe reveals first renderings of its Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks casino project

Oklahoma’s Osage Nation’s Osage Casinos released renderings of its Missouri project in Lake of the Ozarks, part of a new entertainment district in the state which was announced last fall. 

The casino project is expected to be completed in multiple phases with an estimated $60 million investment in the region. The plans include a casino, hotel, meeting space and event center, among other amenities. 

Phase 1 of the process will see the construction of a casino, sports bar, restaurant, and meeting space. It also includes a hotel, which will have general hotel rooms, suites, a fitness and exercise facility, a pool and hot tub, and a pool bar. This first phase is scheduled to start upon approval from the Department of Interior. 

Osage Casino meeting rooms render

Future amenities include more casino space, additional food and beverage options, meeting space and an event center. 

CEO of Osage Casinos, Byron Bighorse, spoke about the renderings release and said: “We are thrilled to release these renderings to Osage Nation members in a time when Chief Standing Bear is conducting monumental cultural efforts in our ancestral lands. Our casino has been nationally recognized for providing world-class gaming, and we are excited to bring this opportunity to Lake of the Ozarks”. 

Osage Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear added: “We look forward to collaborative work with the local community and state of Missouri. We will provide positive economic benefits to the Osage people, as well as those who reside on Osage ancestral lands”. 

Osage Casino event center rendering

Back when the project was announced, the tribe called it "one of the most substantial economic development initiatives for the region in years", as it would bring about new jobs, tourism and revenue for the Lake of the Ozarks community. 

The tribal nation purchased 28 acres of land in June near Lake Ozark, a town situated against a northeast section of the lake. The tribe claims it has established “very good relationships” with several communities in Missouri, and sees this as an opportunity to “have a presence back” in its homeland. The nation is currently headquartered in Oklahoma.

Earlier this month, the tribe posted a public notice in an Eldon newspaper, requesting proposals for “qualified demolitions contractors,” in order to start demolition at the proposed Missouri casino site.