BN9 Exclusive Poll: Voters want a say in expanding gambling

ST. PETERSBURG -- 

The battle over expanding Las Vegas-style casino gambling in Florida is up for debate again, and according to a Tampa Bay Times / Bay News 9 Exclusive Statewide poll, voters say they want to have a say in it.

The poll, conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research for Bay News 9, News 13 and the Tampa Bay Times, found an overwhelming 81 percent of voters say any proposed changes in the gambling laws should be decided by Florida voters in a statewide referendum.

And, if that happens, the votes could be very close. Forty-two percent of voters say they support an expansion of gambling while 44 percent are opposed to it. Another 14 percent remain undecided.

The largest group in support of the expansion is Southeast Florida, the area where, if approved, the casinos are likely to be developed. Fifty-two percent of those residents are in favor of the expansion compared to 37 percent to 39 percent in other areas of the state. Men are also significantly more likely to support the expansion - 54 percent to 31 percent of women.

There is also a slight difference down party lines with 46 percent of democrats supporting an expansion compared to 38 percent of republicans. Independents are more likely to side with the democrats in support of the changes.

Many of those who are for it, 58 percent, say it could help improve tourism while only a small percentage, 12 percent, are concerned that it will hurt tourism. Twenty-three percent of people polled say it won't make a difference.

In the last legislative session, a bill that would have allowed for expansion was killed. Gov. Rick Scott subsequently cut the $400,000 lawmakers had approved in the budget for a study looking into whether new Las Vegas-style casinos would benefit the state.

Proponents of the expansion say it could bring $1 billion in new revenue to Florida.

In this year's session, a bill has been introduced by Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, D-Ft. Lauderdale, that would help regulate the new casinos. It would set up regulation similar to those in other gambling cities like Las Vegas, Atlantic City, in part by creating a state gaming commission.

The bill would also create a law giving the state access to everything from casino operators' bank accounts to marriage records.

Gov. Scott's handling of this hot button issue could be important for a governor struggling with approval ratings.

The Tampa Bay Times / Bay News 9  poll shows the Governor with only a 43 percent approval rating.