SEARCH NEWS:

 

Polls: Stakes Too High for More Catskill Casinos

ALBANY, New York – As reported by the Albany Times-Union: "The social cost of Gov. George Pataki's plan to build five tribal casinos in the Catskills would outweigh any economic benefit, according to an exclusive poll of Capital Region residents, a majority of whom claim they aren't big on betting anyway.

"Yet a majority say they would support the construction of five new American Indian casinos if they were spread across the state. They also favor raising money from new casinos over raising taxes.

"…Most surprising was the large number of people -- 58 percent -- who claimed they rarely gamble on anything anywhere. The Capital Region is home to the state's premier thoroughbred race track and most productive VLT gambling hall; is home to the New York State Lottery; and is an easy bus ride to several casinos, including Turning Stone in Verona, Oneida County, and Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

"…Of those polled, 58 percent said they have never gambled at a casino, and just 20 percent said they do so less than once a year. Sixteen percent said they go up to six times annually; 2 percent, up to 12 times a year; 1 percent, up to 24 times; and 1 percent, more than 25 times.

"However, while 44 percent of those surveyed said they would be more likely to try their luck at a casino if ones are established in the Catskills, the respondents also overwhelmingly said they still were 'not very likely' to gamble at any of them.

"Beyond that, only 8 percent supported Pataki's five-casino Catskills plan, while just more than half those polled said they would prefer spreading five new Indian casinos throughout the state…"

< Gaming News