The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), a leading poker grassroots advocacy group, released results of a poll that it says show Pennsylvanians support legalization of online gaming by a wide margin. The results are opposite those of a poll earlier this year by a group hired by Sheldon Adelson’s anti-iGaming group.
The poll cited by PPA shows that by more than a 2-to-1 margin (58% to 26%), Pennsylvanians say they support legislation that would strictly regulate online poker and other forms of online gaming in the state. The poll released by Omega Group of Wayne, Pennsylvania, surveyed 769 Pennsylvania registered voter households to collect their opinions regarding regulating online gaming in the state.
“Online poker and other forms of online gaming are already happening in the state, but it is completely unregulated and offers no meaningful protections for minors, problem gamblers or safeguards for consumers,” said John Pappas, executive director of Poker Players Alliance. “It’s clear Pennsylvanians believe this is a problem, and they want a solution.
“They also want to see the state receive the tax benefit of a regulated online poker market for state programs. Today those dollars are going overseas. That money should stay in Pennsylvania.”
The poll demonstrated that when told that residents, including children and problem gamblers, have access to illegal online gaming, residents said they support legislation that would regulate the industry.
Legislation introduced by Rep. John Payne (R-106) would provide necessary regulations that residents say are essential, and also infuse much-needed tax revenue into the state budget at a time when officials are looking at tax increases.
Additional poll results showed:
• By more than a 3-to-1 margin (66% to 20%), respondents want Pennsylvania to pass a law that will tax online gaming so the money can be used for education and other vital state programs.
• By more than a 5-to-1 margin (80% to 14%), respondents want Pennsylvania to pass a law requiring online sites to use technology so that children and minors cannot gamble.
• A majority of respondents (52% to 29%) want Pennsylvania to pass a law that requires online gaming sites to use new technologies to help problem gamblers by limiting losses, deposits and time played.
• A majority of respondents (52% to 30%) believe Pennsylvania law enforcement should have jurisdiction over online gaming websites.
• By more than a 3-to-1 margin (61% to 17%), respondents say they would be more likely to vote for a state legislator who in one bill votes to protect children from gambling online, generates millions of dollars for vital state programs, and gives law enforcement the power to stop fraud and cheating of offshore gambling websites.
