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Poll: Minnesotans Mixed About Gambling

MINNESOTA – As reported by the St. Paul's Pioneer Press: "Most Minnesotans don't want more casinos in the state, especially non-Indian casinos. But they would sure like a cut of Indian casino revenues, a new poll shows.

"The poll commissioned by the Pioneer Press and Minnesota Public Radio presents a somewhat mixed, even conflicted, picture about how Minnesotans feel about casinos, Indian gaming and state payments.

"Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proposed that Indian tribes pay 25 percent of their gambling revenues to the state, in exchange for allowing new types of gambling or opening off-reservation casinos. If the tribes don't agree, the governor has threatened to let rival casinos open in the state.

"Most Minnesotans are opposed to new casinos, the poll found, but they like the idea of new revenues. Some 53 percent of Minnesotans say they support Pawlenty's plan, with 42 percent opposed.

"Separately, only 18 percent want to leave the gambling situation in Minnesota as it is, with casinos run only by Indians and revenues going to the tribes. Another 42 percent want tribes to make large payments to the state, and 32 percent are ready for non-Indians to open casinos in Minnesota…"

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