The majority of New Jersey voters would support the addition of slot machines to the Meadowlands and other racetracks around the state, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind poll released today. When asked specifically about expanding slot machine gaming to the Meadowlands, those surveyed backed the move 52 percent to 37 percent. The poll numbers showed that adding...
Lee Allen, of Middletown, N.Y., plays a slot machine at the Sands Casino Hotel in Atlantic City in a 2006 file photo. A poll release today showed most voters would back expanding slot machines to New Jersey racetracks.The majority of New Jersey voters would support the addition of slot machines to the Meadowlands and other racetracks around the state, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind poll released today.
When asked specifically about expanding slot machine gaming to the Meadowlands, those surveyed backed the move 52 percent to 37 percent. The poll numbers showed that adding slot machines to racetracks was more popular among residents of central and northern New Jersey.
Those who live closest to the Atlantic City gaming halls in southern New Jersey opposed expanding slot machines to racetracks 46 percent to 40 percent.
“In part, this is a regional issue,” Donald Hoover, a professor in FDU’s International School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and a former casino executive, said in a statement issued with the poll results.
“People in the northern part of the state are being enticed to cross state borders to places that are more readily accessible than Atlantic City," Hoover said. "People in the south are concerned with the viability of Atlantic City.”
Most of those surveyed, however, were against expanding casino table games outside Atlantic City, 49 percent to 42 percent. The poll was conducted by phone over 10 days in mid-May and included 801 registered voters.
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• N.J. sports authority asks lawmakers for slot machines at race tracks
• Pennsylvania slot-machine revenue surpasses Atlantic City for first time