SEARCH NEWS:

 

Poll: Indiana Voters Don't Want Gambling Expansion

INDIANA – As reported by the Indianapolis Star: "Almost half of Indiana's residents believe casino gambling -- and the millions of tax dollars it generates -- has been good for the state, but an even larger percentage say they don't want gambling expanded.

"'I think we should keep it where it's at now -- we don't need to go any further,' said Sonia Merkel, of Celestine in Dubois County.

"Merkel, 37, is among the 55 percent of state residents opposed to increasing the availability of gambling in Indiana, according to a new Indianapolis Star-WTHR (Channel 13) poll.

"The poll of 700 Hoosiers also found that 47 percent believe casino gambling has been good for the state, while 28 percent said it has been bad and 25 percent said they were not sure.

"…After years of wrangling, Orange County residents last November approved casino gambling in hopes of attracting developers to renovate two historic hotels and create jobs in the economically depressed French Lick area. State and local officials are now reviewing proposals from three groups hoping to win the state's 11th and final casino license.

"…In 2003, Indiana's 10 riverboat casinos made $2.16 billion in revenue and paid $671 million in state and local taxes. Gambling tax revenues are expected to account for about 5.5 percent of Indiana's $10.6 billion operating budget in 2004…"

< Gaming News