U.S. voters in four states oppose internet gambling

The respected and generally reliable Nevada political journalist, Jon Ralston, has revealed the results of a poll originally sent by Dave Sackett, the founder and managing partner of U.S. National polling firm – The Tarrance Group, to Las Vegas Sands Corporation earlier this month.

The key findings of the voter attitude survey gleaned from telephone interviews of 2 216 participants from June to October 2013 throughout California, Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania revealed:

– Voters are largely “pro-gaming”, with 60 percent approving of their state allowing gaming to generate revenue for the state.

– 53 percent have a positive view of land casinos with “Las Vegas style gaming”

– Over 60 percent of voters in all four states, however, have a more negative view of internet gambling and poker. With the most resistance from Kentucky, followed by Virginia, California and Pennsylvania.

– Over 50 percent of voters in all four states view internet gambling/poker differently to traditional land-based forms.

– Kentucky and Virginia strongly support the current ban on internet gambling.

– Voters from all four states oppose legalisation of internet gambling or internet poker by 60 percent, led by Virginia, then Pennsylvania, California and Kentucky.

The survey results found that even among those voters that self-identify as “active gamblers”, a solid majority in each of the four states indicate that they would be opposed to allowing internet gambling or internet poker.

The poll was commissioned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, headed up by outspoken internet gambling antagonist Sheldon Adelson.