By a slim 48 – 43 percent margin, Florida voters support the creation of Las Vegas style gambling casinos, but by a larger 61 – 33 percent margin, they believe casinos would be good for the state’s economy, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
“Creating Las Vegas style, non-Indian casinos in Florida gets a narrow thumbs up from the voters,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, “but there are interesting partisan, gender and educational and age differences.”
Republicans split 46 – 48 percent on casinos, while support is 51 – 40 percent among Democrats and 53 – 39 percent among independent voters. Women are divided 44 – 45 percent, while men favor casinos 53 – 40 percent.
Among whites, college graduates are divided 47 – 48 percent, while those without degrees support casinos 51 – 39 percent. Attitudes on casinos range from 53 – 38 percent in favor among voters 18 to 49 years old, to slim 48 – 44 percent support among voters 50 to 64 years old to narrow 48 – 43 percent opposition among voters over 65.
Casino gambling is not morally wrong, Florida voters say 73 – 22 percent.