Missouri Riverboat Casinos Up 9% Y-o-Y in October, Investors Eye New Casino Project at Lake Ozark

Missouri’s riverboat casinos recorded $164.9 million in revenue last month, up from the previous year’s figure of $151.3 million and representing a year-on-year increase of 9%. 

The figures, published by the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC), revealed that of the combined revenue, electronic gaming devices generated $143.5 million, a year-on-year increase of 11% from $129.4 million. In contrast, table games were down 3% year-on-year, with revenue dropping from $21.9 million to $21.4 million, while hybrid tables dropped 77% to $17,011. 

The positive month comes as Missouri looks to update its gambling sector with exciting changes. Investment firm Osage River Gaming and Conventions (ORGC) has reignited its push to introduce a casino to Lake Ozark, with November 12 being a key deadline for seeking the much-needed approval to kickstart the group’s plans. 

In addition to the possibility of a new casino, the MGC issued 39 temporary sports wagering licenses to operators ahead of the state’s scheduled sports betting launch on December 1. Missouri became the 39th state to legalize sports betting after more than 50% of Missouri voters voted ‘Yes’ on Amendment 2 back in November 2024. 

Eleven Casinos Record Revenue Increases in October

Eleven of Missouri’s 13 riverboat casinos recorded positive revenue increases last month, with only two having minor declines. Of the 11, six reported double-digit increases, with Century Casino & Hotel Caruthersville having the greatest impact, with revenue up 61% year-on-year to $4.9 million. 

Other casinos to have double-digit increases were Horseshoe St. Louis, up 24%, Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Boonville, up 20%, Mark Twain Casino, up 18%, St. Jo Frontier Casino, up 12%, and Ameristar Kansas City, up 10% year-on-year. 

Ameristar St. Charles recorded the highest revenue for the month, rising 7% year-on-year to $25.2 million. This was followed by Hollywood Casino, which increased 3% to $23 million, and River City Casino Hotel, up 6% year-over-year to $22.7 million. 

Century Casino & Hotel Cape Girardeau and Bally’s Kansas City were the only two casinos to report a decline in October, with Century Casino dropping 6% to $5.4 million and Bally’s 1% to $11.7 million. 

Investors Try Again for Casino at Lake Ozark

The Osage Indians and their group of private investors, the ORGC, are more optimistic this time around about getting approval to build a casino and entertainment complex on Lake Ozark. After failing to get enough signatures on its attempt the previous year, the Osage Indians and the ORGC await a November 12 decision from the Board of Aldermen before their current plans can come to fruition. 

“Yes, we are getting the band back together,” Andy Prewitt of the ORGC confirmed to LakeExpo. “[We] secured Miller County’s support on Monday [Nov. 3] and are on the Lake Ozark agenda for next Wednesday’s city council meeting (Nov 12),” he added. “If that goes well we hope to be collecting signatures before the end of the month.”

So far, the Missouri Constitution only allows casinos on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, but that could all change with blessings from both the Board of Aldermen and the City of Lake Ozark, meaning Missouri could soon welcome a new casino to its ranks.