Poll of voters shows support for slots at Big M

The addition of slot machines to the Meadowlands and other existing racetracks in the state is favored by New Jerseyans, according to a recent poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s (FDU) PublicMind.

 

Voters support the proposal to expand slots to the Meadowlands by 52 to 37 percent, and among those who consider themselves Independent voters, the rate of support is nearly 2-1 [58-33].  Independent voters have determined many elections locally and nationally.  Among those with party affiliations, Democrats favor slots at the Meadowlands 5-to-4 [51-38] while Republicans are split [46-46].

 

“The FDU poll makes it abundantly clear that the majority of the citizens in New Jersey support the addition of slot machines at the Meadowlands,” said Tom Luchento, president of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey [SBOANJ].  “If New Jersey’s leadership wishes to respect the opinion of the public, this is a clear endorsement of racinos – slots at racetracks.

 

“The public understands that this isn’t an expansion of gambling but an addition of alternate gaming at existing racetracks,” Luchento noted.  “Slots at the racetracks will not only help our breeding and racing industry but also infuse much needed revenue into the state’s economy as well as directly into the state’s treasury.”

 

More voters think that slots would “provide tax revenues, create new jobs and preserve open space” [50 percent] than “expand gambling too much, hurt business and tax revenues in Atlantic City” [33 percent], according to the survey which was conducted in May 2010. 

 

The poll also found most voters [94 percent] say the preservation of New Jersey farmland is “very important” or “somewhat important.”  This finding is unchanged [94 percent] from a 2008 FDU poll.  The horse racing and breeding industry plays a significant role in farmland preservation.

 

“New Jersey citizens have repeatedly supported Open Space and Farmland preservation ballot issues,” Luchento said.  “Millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent to retain the beauty and agricultural tradition of the Garden State.  If we lose horse racing in this state, we have the potential of losing 176,000 acres of equine-related farmland or alternatively spending hundreds of millions in public funds to preserve these farms.”

 

The support for slot or video lottery terminals [VLTs] at tracks is not limited to the Meadowlands.

 

The voters say by 51 percent to 39 percent they would favor permitting slots at other Garden State racetracks, such as Monmouth Park and Freehold Raceway.

 

The voters were not influenced by a recent proposal to pay New Jersey $600,000 to bring slots to the Meadowlands.  Most – 84 percent – had heard little or nothing about the plan. Voters did differ in their opinions by age.  Those 18 to 44 favor expansion by a 2-to-1 margin; those 45-64 favor it as well (51-37), but those of retirement age – 65 years of age and older – oppose the idea by a margin of 5-to-4 (49-38).

 

Fifty-three percent of younger voters – those 18 to 44 – are more favorable to expanding full casino gambling, including table games, to racetracks although among all age groups 49 percent opposed the concept while 42 percent support it.

 

The Fairleigh Dickinson University poll of 801 registered voters statewide was conducted by telephone from May 8, 2010, through May 18, 2101, and has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points.  It was issued on June 14, 2010.  For further information, visit publicmind.fdu.edu.

 

The study was underwritten by TrotPAC. (SBOA/NJ)