Adelson Poll Shows Three Quarters of Those in PA Reject Online Gambling

Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, whose Sands Casino in Allentown, PA is the state’s most successful, funded a poll that found nearly three quarters of Pennsylvania’s residents oppose online gambling.

Adelson stands in staunch opposition to legalizing Web gambling at the federal level and has helped draft legislation that would prohibit the activity.

Rep. John Payne - R-Dauphin, author of a bill to legalize online gambling in Pennsylvania, finds the Adelson poll suspect.

"I don't hold much credibility to the survey because of the way it was done," Payne said, noting that independent polling organizations were not utilized here.

From the Morning Call:

The poll, conducted by Brock McCleary, president of Harper Polling, asked voters whether they support the Pennsylvania Lottery, horse racing, "Las Vegas-style" casino-resort gambling, online Keno games in bars and eateries and online gambling. At 84 percent, the lottery had the most support, followed by horse racing (60 percent) and casinos (59 percent).

Just 35 percent of the 513 voters surveyed supported Keno.

Online gambling came in a distant last — with 21 percent support.

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com