A
recent survey conducted by a prominent, national public opinion
research firm shows that an overwhelming majority of Kentuckians want
the
chance to vote on whether to allow casino gaming in the Commonwealth of
Kentucky. In addition, nearly two-thirds of those polled would vote
“yes” on a statewide referendum authorizing casino-style gaming in the
Bluegrass.
The
statewide poll, conducted Dec. 12-14, 2011, by the Garin-Hart-Yang
Research Group in Washington, D.C., surveyed 612 Kentucky voters about
their attitudes on casino gaming and confirmed
the following:
87 percent of Kentuckians favor the Kentucky Legislature
passing legislation that would allow Kentuckians to vote on a proposed
constitutional amendment to authorize casino gaming in Kentucky.
According to the poll results, the overwhelming support
for a statewide vote on casino gaming exists regardless of Kentuckians’
personal positions on this issue, meaning even those Kentuckians who do
not support casino gaming still want the chance to have their say at the
ballot box though a statewide referendum;
and
64 percent of Kentuckians would vote in favor of a constitutional amendment authorizing casino gaming in the Commonwealth.
The
survey, which has an overall margin of error of +/- 4 percentage
points, was commissioned by various Kentucky horse racing interests.
“In
today's political climate, to have 87 percent of voters demonstrate
support for any issue is remarkable,” Brett Hale, senior vice president
of corporate and government affairs for
Churchill Downs Incorporated, said in response to the poll results. “We
look forward to sharing this data with decision makers in Frankfort and
working with the Governor and the Legislature to pass a constitutional
amendment and subsequent enabling legislation
that ensures the protection of Kentucky’s signature horse industry for
generations to come.”
"We
are encouraged by, and would agree with, Kentuckians' strong desire to
participate in a statewide vote on casino gaming," Vince Gabbert, vice
president and chief operating officer
for Keeneland Association added. "Kentucky's horse industry continues
to face increasing competition from neighboring states that use revenue
from casino gaming to provide incentives to racing and breeding
operations. By acting now, we have a chance to stem
the tide and keep Kentucky's signature industry from falling further
behind."