NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS REMAIN KEEN ON SPORTS BETTING


Tuesday October 11, 2011 : Latest independent update on sports betting survey shows little change
 
In New Jersey, support for the legalization of sports betting remains strong and unchanged from an earlier study by the Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind Poll.
 
In the most recent Fairleigh study, conducted among 800 respondents at the end of September and just released, the numbers show that 52 percent approve of a sports betting legalization measure which will be on the ballot for the November 8 referendum, whilst 31 percent oppose the idea.
 
The referendum will ask voters to voice their opinions on allowing horseracing tracks and casinos in the state to offer wagering on most professional, college and amateur sporting events with the exception of collegiate events taking place in New Jersey or involving teams from the eastern state.
 
If approved by voters in November, the state could move forward in an initiative to ditch the state ban on sports betting under the 1992 federal Professional and Amateur Sports Promotion Act.
 
Politicians are already preparing for a positive vote and the subsequent political and legal actions that may be necessary for implementation  and Governor Chris Christie, who has hitherto been reluctant to go against federal legalization, may have some tough decisions to make.
 
In the latest Fairleigh study 65 percent of male respondents favoured the proposal, whilst 21 percent were against it; by age group, 61 percent in the 18 to 34 ages bracket were in favour, whilst 26 percent opposed it.
 
Among women, 41 percent opposed the measure compared with 39 percent who were supportive, with 43 percent of those aged at least 55 in favour to 37 percent against.
 
“New Jerseyans are used to having gambling in the state and used to having it in Atlantic City,” said Peter Woolley, a political scientist and director for the PublicMind Poll. “I think they see this as revenue for the state.”