Opposition to casino expansion in NJ continues

A new Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll released Wednesday revealed New Jersey residents aren't supportive of plans to allow casinos outside Atlantic City.

Momentum is building in the New Jersey Legislature to allow casinos outside of Atlantic City and to require those new casinos to share tax revenue with the struggling resort town. Voters would have to approve a constitutional amendment in order for gaming expansion to be permitted.

"Right now, 56 percent oppose the proposed expansion with 37 percent in favor. The last time we asked this question was a few months ago back in February and we found that 36 percent were in favor with 57 percent opposed," said Krista Jenkins, professor of political science at FDU and director of PublicMind.

Since 2009, PublicMind has asked the gaming expansion question and opposition has always outweighed support.

"Garden State residents don't appear to be sold on the notion of saving the gaming industry by permitting it to spread," Jenkins explained.

Poll respondents were also asked if they would visit the new casinos outside of Atlantic City if they were allowed and where would they like those casinos to be. The answers included:

• 34 percent said they'd be more likely to visit a casino if they were outside of Atlantic City;
• 31 percent said even if gaming was expanded they would still go to Atlantic City;
• 61 percent said they'd be most likely to go to the Meadowlands if there was a casino there;
• 49 percent would opt for Monmouth Park;
• 41 percent would go to a Jersey City casino; and
• 29 percent would choose Newark.

The survey also asked if respondents support or oppose requiring new casinos sharing tax revenue with Atlantic City. There was no clear answer.

"Forty-two percent favor sharing revenue with places elsewhere and 44 percent were opposed to the idea," Jenkins said.

The demographic breakdown in support for gambling expansion and revenue sharing included:

• 41 percent of men support gaming expansion;
• 48 percent of men favor revenue sharing;
• 33 percent of woman like the idea of gambling outside of Atlantic City;
• 36 percent of women support revenue sharing; and
• 50 percent of casino goers favor expansion.

The poll was conducted by phone from June 15-21, 2015 with randomly selected statewide sample of 792 self-identified registered voters. Results have a margin of sampling error of +/- 3.7 points.