Residents of New Jersey took part in a new poll taken by the Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind which found that sports betting and casino expansions beyond the area of Atlantic City are not on the minds of the public. The poll showed that residents are less supportive of such changes when compared to the same poll from the summer of 2014.
The study showed that 36% of those polled were in favor of allowing casinos to be moved to other parts of the state besides Atlantic City. This is a decrease from 42% from last summer based on the same question. Atlantic City is currently struggling with a decrease in land based casinos from 12 to only 8 remaining in operation. Gambling revenues have fell from $5.2 billion to $2.74 billion, with pressure mounting for lawmakers of the state to allow casinos to be allowed in other areas of the state.
According to additional information found within the poll, residents are also decreasing their support for?sports betting within the state, with 41% saying the option should stay how it is. Back in October of 2013, the poll found that 55% were in favor of sports betting taking place within the state. Since 2009, the state has been trying to see the federal ban overturned in regards to sports betting.? The US Third District Court of Appeals will hear opening arguments on the issue march 17th.
Atlantic City has had five years to be able to increase their revenues before the city would lose exclusive rights to hosting casinos in the state of New Jersey. The timeline for Atlantic City ends in February 2016 based on Governor Chris Christie’s directive and to do so would require the state’s constitution to be amended.
The poll conducted was performed via telephone with 901 adults surveyed from February 23rd to March 1st. The study was conducted with a margin of error at 3.3% points in plus or minus.