Osage Nation Lake Ozark Casino Resort | Project Status, Plans & Federal Approval

Overview

The Osage Nation Lake Ozark Casino Resort is a planned Class II gaming and hotel destination proposed for Lake Ozark, Missouri. The project has completed all local approvals and now awaits final federal trust authorization from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Once approved, the Osage Nation intends to begin construction immediately, including the potential launch of a temporary casino during resort development.

Location

The future resort site is located near Bagnell Dam Boulevard and Osage Beach Parkway in Lake Ozark, MO. The property spans approximately 28 acres and is positioned to serve the Lake of the Ozarks tourism corridor.

Bagnell Dam Boulevard and Osage Beach Parkway
Lake Ozark, Miller County, Missouri

Osage Nation Ozarks Map Proposed site for the Osage Nation Lake Ozark Hotel Casino

Project Plans

The preferred development plan includes:

Total building size 237,160 sq ft
40,000 sq ft Class II gaming floor
750 Class II gaming machines
150-room hotel tower
Meeting and event space
Pool, fitness center, and resort amenities
Five Restaurants
Entertainment venues

Missouri does not have a tribal-state gaming compact, so the resort will operate under Class II gaming regulations as permitted by federal law.

Renderings

The Osage Nation released these renderings of the casino resort planned for Lake Ozark, Missouri.

Osage Casino Ozarks Aerial Rendering

Meeting and Banquet Room Osage Casino Ozarks Meeting Room Rendering

Event Center Osage Casino Event Center Rendering

Hotel Suite with View of Lake of the Ozarks Osage Casino Hotel Suite Rendering

Current Status

As of mid-2026, all municipal agreements between the Osage Nation and the City of Lake Ozark have been fully executed. These include revenue-sharing terms, a hotel resort fee, water and sewer service agreements, and infrastructure coordination.

The project is now awaiting final federal trust approval. The Bureau of Indian Affairs released the Draft Environmental Assessment in 2025, and the trust decision is the final step required before construction can begin.

City officials have stated the Osage Nation may open a temporary gaming facility immediately after federal approval while the full resort is built.

Future Development

Once federal approval is granted, the Osage Nation is expected to announce a groundbreaking date, updated construction timeline, and additional project renderings. The Lake Ozark Casino Resort is anticipated to become a major tourism and economic development anchor for the region, generating new jobs and year-round entertainment.

Timeline

CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE
Construction will begin after approval by the U.S. department of Interior. The approval is expected in 2023. Construction will take 18-24 months and be completed in phases

PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION

Casino
Sports Bar
Restaurants
Meeting space

PHASE 2 CONSTRUCTION

Hotel - guest rooms and suites
Fitness and exercise center
Pool and hot tub
Pool Bar

FUTURE PHASES - TBA

Tribe

The Lake Ozark Casino Resort is a planned project of the Osage Nation, which is headquartered in Pawhuska, Osage County, Oklahoma.

The tribe owns seven casinos in Oklahoma, which are located in Bartlesville, Hominy, Pawhuska, Ponca City, Sand Springs, Skiatook and Tulsa.

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History Milestones

Oct 2021
The Osage Nation announced plans in late October 2021 the build a $100-million casino, hotel and entertainment destination at Lake Ozarks, Missouri. The tribe said it had applied the U.S. Department of Interior for approval under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. That process will take one, two or more years for a decision authorizing Class II casino gaming.

Feb 2022
A demolition contractor was selected to clear the 28-acre building site at Bagnell Dam Boulevard and Osage Beach Parkway.

Fall 2022
The U.S. Department of Interior was preparing an Environmental Impact Study. No updates on the stucy have been publicly released to date.

2023
If all issues reported in the Environmental Impact Study can be resolved, the U.S. Department of Interior could approve the Osage Nation's application as early as 2023-2024. Construction could follow soon afterwards if not delayed by legal challenges.

2024-2025
The Osage Nation continues to wait for a decistion from the federal government.

Osage Nation Lake Ozark Casino Resort