No Saugerties Casino

Edited by Ernie Mortuzans

Surveys show likely voters opposed to current casino plan

Two recent polls commissioned by casino operators in New York suggest that expanding gambling opportunities beyond existing casinos and racetracks may be a tough sell for state leaders.

While seven casinos would be allowed by an amendment to the state Constitution, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal in his Executive Budget seeks to build three full-scale casinos in the upstate New York region in the near future to revitalize its economy, leaving the location of the other four casinos open.

According to a Global Strategy Group poll, commissioned by Genting, the operators of the Aqueduct racino and Empire Resorts in Monticello, statewide voters would vote against the current proposal in Albany to legalize casino gambling, build three full-scale casinos upstate and leave the option for four additional casinos. Fifty percent of voters would vote no on this proposal, while 44 percent would vote yes.

A poll conducted by Benenson, commissioned by Turning Stone Casino in Oneida County, shows that 73 percent of likely voters say that, without disclosing the location of proposed casinos or guaranteeing local referendums on them, they would vote no on a constitutional amendment, and only 21 percent say they would vote yes.

SOURCE: Legislative Gazette