Ohio Residents Ignore Spin Artists, Remain in Favor of Casinos
Polls surveying Ohio citizens have shown a solid majority running about 60 percent favoring the passage of a fall ballot item licensing 4 casinos, but recent attacks from a variety of sources had raised concerns that the populace might be changing its mind. But, despite all the bread and circuses paraded about by various factions, a new poll shows gambling views virtually unchanged.
According to the Ohio Newspaper Poll,57 percent of those questioned favor the passage of Issue 3. About 39 percent are opposed, with 4 percent undecided.
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, a former gaming foe who had come to be the staunchest supporter of placing slots at race tracks, recently came out against the casinos, saying that racinos did not bring gambling to new locations, but merely expanded games available.
Church groups have also thrown a number of justifications to reject casino gambling at the wall, cynically waiting to see which spins stick and then pressing campaigns on that basis. And even competing gaming companies have been accused of skulduggery in trying to tilt gambling law changes to their advantage.
But through it all, Ohio residents have let the hot air of politicians' speeches flow around them, while staying centered in their opinion. Interestingly, a large majority of those who want legal casinos say they themselves aren't interested in visiting a gambling venue, but support others' rights to do so.
