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More than 320,000 Missouri voters signed a petition to light a casino in Lake Ozark. After failing to put casino questions on the ballot for the fourth time in a row, the matter could finally be opened to voters.

For context, the Missouri Constitution allows casinos to be built only near the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. This means that people in the state should vote in favor of the constitutional amendment in order to expand the list of waterways that allow gaming.  

The signatures will now be verified by the state. For your information, the number of authenticated signatures needed to put this issue to a vote is about 173,000.

Once Lake Ozark Casino wins the support of Missouri voters, the state will have a new resort with hotels, casinos, spas, restaurants, shops, and convention centers. This is a significant difference from the traditional river boat model that is still in use by other casinos in the model.

Missouri legally defines casinos as "outland gambling boats," but has interpreted the term somewhat broadly, modifying the definition to include "floating facilities" in 2021. Casinos may be on the coast, as long as they are within 1,000 feet of Missouri or the Mississippi River and have at least 2,000 gallons of water inside or underground in rigid or semi-rigid containers, tanks, or structures.

This project will benefit the local economy  
Ozarks' Lake Casino question is being pushed by the Osage River Gaming & Convention (ORGC) investor group. The group, which previously turned to the polls after failing to put casino issues on the ballot, is optimistic about its momentum.

The organization pointed out that the project will generate significant profits for the local economy. For example, the project's tax revenue will provide a significant boost for local schools. On the other hand, the local revenue will fuel various public services, including improving infrastructure.

In addition, supporters expect the Ozark Lake Casino to boost tourism. The facilities on the 20-acre site will offer a variety of entertainment for both game-playing and non-game visitors.

The new property will be operated by Bally's Corporation and will create between 700 and 800 permanent jobs.


Ozark Casino Inch, Missouri, Closer to Reality

Minnesota Casino, Racecourse, and Hotel Running Aces recently amended the federal lawsuit and added Mystic Lake and Little Six casinos owned by the Shakofi Mde and Cantonsu communities. Running Aces has accused tribal casinos of offering unauthorized video games in violation of federal and state laws. 

Running Ace Claims Illegal Benefits In Tribal Casino's Gaming Activities
Running Ace filed an amended complaint on May 14 expanding the scope of its initial lawsuit against Grand Casino Hinckley, Grand Casino Millax, and Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Under the legal action, Running Ace, along with the newly added Mystic Lake and Little Six, claims that casinos are taking illegal and unfair advantage because they are hosting unauthorized gaming activities, the Star Tribune reported.

Taro Ito, CEO and chairman of Running Ace, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, saying: "For decades tribal casinos and certain politicians have falsely claimed that Minnesota has exclusive rights to games, including accidental electronic video games. On the contrary, under the Indian Game Regulation Act of 1988, such exclusive rights are in fact prohibited."

He also added that Minnesota's current laws specifically prohibit anyone from playing electronic video games by chance.

Running ace calls for financial reparations as legal dispute escalates
The legal battle has intensified as Running Ace seeks a court injunction as well as a lawsuit seeking unspecified monetary damages, which the company is seeking from executives of the tribal casinos it is targeting.

According to the lawsuit filed, through the provision of Class II video slots and other video games, the respondents violated both state contracts and the Minnesota Criminal Code.

The Shakofi Mdewa Cantonsu community responded to the lawsuit by defending the legality of the game's operation. Tribal operators have accused Running Ace of baseless allegations. They have also accused the racetrack of ruining the tribal game's reputation. 

The Shakopee Mdeewakton Soux Community has confirmed that all game offerings from Mystic Lake and Little Six Casino are in short supply, in compliance with federal and state laws.

The legal clash comes against a backdrop of widespread debate in the Minnesota Legislature over the expansion of gambling, which mainly focuses on sports betting and historical horse racing (HHR). As part of the debate, tracks such as Running Aces and Canterbury Park have expressed concern that they are being sidelined from legislative discussions.



Running Ace Expands Litigation Against Tribal Casino

 Gaming network GSN named Mohegan Sun, one of the largest entertainment, gaming, and sports destinations in the U.S., as the host of GSN's World Series of Blackjacks. Located 240 acres along the Thames River in southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is a full-service casino and spa facility that boasts 6,400 slot machines, nearly 300 table games, and state-of-the-art racing book facilities. The San Diego Padres' chief television personality and former "Sports Genius" host Matt Bazersian will be the host, Melana Spandlin of "Average Joe" will be the co-host, and casino veteran, gambling consultant, and professional blackjack player Max Rubin will be the professional commentator for the series produced by R.C. Entertainment.

GSN Chairman and CEO Rich Cronin said at today's annual Winter Television Critics Association presentation, "We are excited to showcase Black Jack's World Series, the most popular casino card game with the best gaming facilities on the East Coast. We look forward to exciting competitions and championship nominations among the world's best Black Jack players."

"We are delighted that GSN has chosen Mohegan Sun to host this unique, TV-driven event," said Paul Munick, vice president of sports and entertainment at Mohegan Sun. "We continue to pursue opportunities to expand our product offerings while still being able to be exposed nationwide."


GSN's World Series Black Jack will be filmed on the Mohegan Line

Harrah’s Nebraska this week received the state’s blessing to begin construction on its temporary and permanent casinos. Developer Caesars Entertainment plans to open the gaming venues in March 2023 and March 2024.

The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission (NRGC) on Wednesday voted in favor of issuing Harrah’s Nebraska a provisional gaming license. The concession will become active once the gaming spaces are built and the state gaming regulators sign off on each building’s operations.

Caesars is now cleared to proceed with building a temporary casino at the Platte County Agricultural Park on the east side of Columbus. The permanent Harrah’s casino will be built northwest of the downtown area at the former Wishbones events site center, which closed in May 2021 and was demolished earlier this year.

With this approval, we will start within the next couple of weeks depending on weather,” said Joe Morris, Caesars’ senior vice president of racetrack casino operations.

Nebraskans passed a ballot referendum during the November 2020 election that authorized the state’s licensed horse racetracks to become casinos with slot machines, table games, and sports betting.

Columbus Casino
Columbus qualified for a casino through the state’s 2022 legalization of commercial gaming because of its horse racetrack facility at Ag Park. Live racing has greatly declined over the years, with the Columbus track scheduling only 11 days of live racing in 2023. But the city’s investment in keeping the track and simulcasting facility open over the years is finally set to pay off with the Harrah’s development.

Harrah’s plans to open its temporary casino inside Ag Park’s downstairs exhibit hall. Caesars says the building only needs minor renovations to become a temporary casino that will feature about 250 slot machines.

The permanent Harrah’s Nebraska casino will be about four air miles across town from Ag Park. To satisfy the racing component of the 2020 gaming law, Harrah’s Nebraska will build a new one-mile horse racetrack and hold live racing there beginning in 2024.

The $75 million project will result in a new structure equipped with a 40,000-square-foot casino and sportsbook with more than 400 slots and 20 table games. The sportsbook will be staffed with on-site oddsmakers plus self-service wagering kiosks. Nebraska’s sports betting law limits sports wagering to retail operations. No online bets are allowed.

An entity called Convergence, LLC, is the owner of the land where Harrah’s Nebraska will be built. Convergence will construct and own a forthcoming hotel at the casino. Convergence has contracted with Marriott International to operate the hotel once it’s ready for guests in 2024.

Finally, Harrah’s Nebraska will feature several restaurants and retail shops.

Caesars Selection
Columbus Exposition and Racing, Inc., chose Caesars Entertainment as its casino development partner in July 2021. The nonprofit that is dedicated to the advancement of horse racing is cofinancing the $75 million permanent casino, though Caesars will bankroll the majority of the budget.

Casinos in Nebraska are required to share 20% of their gross gaming revenue with the state. The bulk of the tax income will be used to support the state’s Property Tax Credit Fund.

WarHorse Casino Lincoln was the first legal commercial casino to open in Nebraska in September. WarHorse Gaming, a partnership between the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA), is building casinos in Lincoln and Omaha, with another casino for South Sioux City set for a later date.