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Americans Continue to Support Legalized Gaming, According to GTECH Survey6 October 1998WEST GREENWICH, R.I. -- GTECH Corporation's National Gaming Survey shows that Americans continue to support legalized gaming, and once again, bingo and lotteries top the list of legal gaming activities favored. Conducted by American Viewpoint, Inc., the sixth annual survey polls Americans' opinions and attitudes about gaming and a number of associated issues. Sixty-seven percent of the 1,200 Americans surveyed nationwide approve of legalized gaming—an increase from last year (62 percent)—representing continued support over the past six years. Three of four (76 percent) approve of bingo and more than seven of ten (72 percent) approve of lotteries, an increase from last year (69 percent). "This is the second year in a row that we have seen an increase in public approval of legalized gaming, the largest margin since 1994," said Gary Ferguson, senior vice president of American Viewpoint, Inc., the national public opinion firm that conducts the survey for GTECH. "Although approval levels have always been above 60 percent, this year's approval level represents a substantial increase over the past three years." A solid majority (70 percent) of those surveyed consider legalized gaming to be an acceptable form of entertainment, an increase from last year (66 percent). The results mark the sixth consecutive year that more than 60 percent of the respondents consider legalized gaming to be an acceptable form of entertainment. More than three-fourths (77 percent) of respondents believe legalized gaming creates jobs and increases tourism. "It is clear that a majority of Americans recognize the value of lotteries and other forms of legalized gaming in their states," GTECH Chairman and CEO William Y. O'Connor said. "It is important to note that the findings also show that where good causes are specifically supported, such as education and senior citizen programs, Americans overwhelmingly support legalized gaming." Two-thirds (66 percent) of those surveyed living in states without a lottery say they would favor having a lottery in their state. In a new finding, if given the opportunity to vote on the lottery in a state-wide referendum, more than three of five (63 percent) of those surveyed living in states with a lottery would vote to continue the lottery. Thirty-four percent of those surveyed perceive the leading benefit of having a state lottery to be the educational funding derived from lottery revenues. In fact, 59 percent responded that they would be more likely to play the lottery if the proceeds were earmarked for a specific purpose such as education. More than half (54 percent) of those surveyed believe lotteries contribute to keeping state government taxes lower. By a nearly two-to-one margin, respondents favor legalized gaming (62 percent) over paying higher taxes (28 percent). This margin jumps to more than three-to-one when the choice is between lotteries (69 percent) and higher taxes (22 percent). The survey shows that more Americans (70 percent) are playing lotteries more than any other form of legalized gaming. Among those surveyed who are lottery players, 68 percent have played instant lotteries in the past year, 34 percent have purchased a daily numbers ticket, 43 percent have played games like PowerBall(TM) or The Big Game—an increase of 13 percent from last year—and 62 percent have played games like Lotto. "With this year's large PowerBall jackpots, we find awareness of games like PowerBall and The Big Game at 84 percent," O'Connor said. In addition to the major increase in awareness of Lotto-style games, 47 percent of those surveyed living in states that offer PowerBall have played in the last week—an increase in play level of more than 30 percent from 1997." GTECH Corporation is a worldwide supplier of computerized on-line lottery products and services. The company currently has contracts to supply and/or operate lottery systems for 29 U.S. customers and 49 customers outside of the United States. For more information about the company, visit http://www.gtech.com. American Viewpoint, Inc., of Alexandria, Virginia, conducted the survey between July 24 - August 3, 1998. Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,200 randomly selected adults nationwide. The statistical margin of error for the survey is +/- 2.9 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. A summary of key findings and chart on players' game preferences follow. For a brochure outlining GTECH's 1998 National Gaming Survey, contact Amy Kempe, GTECH Public Relations at 401.392.7452. 1998 National Gaming Survey Key Findings
Who Plays What Game How Often
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