Most Massachusetts Residents Support Legalized Casino Gambling

TAUNTON – As reported by the Taunton Gazette: "More than half of Massachusetts residents support casino gambling in the Bay State, according to a poll and behavioral survey released today
  by the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.

"The poll and survey of 1,041 state residents, conducted from Sept. 29 to Nov. 2, is the most extensive yet undertaken to determine residents' attitudes toward casino gambling and its effects, center director Dr. Clyde W. Barrow said.

"A clear majority of residents in every region, except the Cape and Islands, support establishing casino gambling in Massachusetts as an alternative to casinos in Connecticut and slot parlors in Rhode Island, Barrow said.

"About 57 percent of those surveyed support resort casino authorization, the survey showed, with another 30 percent opposed and 14 percent undecided.

"The regional breakdown in favor of authorizing casinos includes 57 percent in favor to 31 percent opposed in southeastern Massachusetts.

"There is also 58 percent in favor to 30 percent opposed in Greater Boston and its suburbs; 61 percent to 28 percent in northeastern Massachusetts; Worcester County, 58 percent to 32 percent; and 53 percent to 25 percent in Western Massachusetts.

"Cape Cod residents, the survey indicated, were statistically tied, with 43 percent in favor and 41 percent opposed.

"Aquinnah Wampanoag Indians, based in Martha's Vineyard, said almost a year ago they hoped to build a large casino if the state Legislature approved a slot machine bill. The bill failed in a dramatically lopsided vote in April, disappointing owners of racetracks such as the Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park as well as the tribe…."