Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Survey: America likes to gamble

A new survey shows Americans overwhelmingly approve of legalized gambling despite mounting criticism of the industry in Washington.

The annual Harrah's Survey of Casino Entertainment, widely read within the industry as a measuring stick of attitudes about gambling, says 91 percent of Americans find gaming acceptable.

Last year, the survey says, American households made 154 million trips to casinos, a 23 percent increase over the 125 million visits in 1994.

The national survey, commissioned by Harrah's Entertainment Inc., is expected to be used by the casino industry to rebut critics mounting a campaign to study the rapid growth of gaming across the country.

"The findings in the Harrah's survey are a barometer for how all of America feels about the casino industry," said Harrah's Nevada President Hector Mon. "It is essential that through the survey and other means we communicate the message that there is widespread support for casinos in the United States."

Added Gov. Bob Miller: "Much of the success throughout the industry can be attributed to the Nevada experience.

"Because Nevada has established the effective regulatory system that's the model for so many other gaming jurisdictions, the public has developed a high degree of confidence in the integrity of legalized gaming."

But Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Industry, the industry's Washington lobby, cautioned that such support doesn't necessarily translate to widespread approval of gambling in local communities.

"I think the study is 100 percent accurate," Fahrenkopf said. "But that doesn't mean that 91 percent would want a casino to open down the street from them."

The survey shows that only 55 percent of Americans favor gaming in their community. That figure, however, is up from 41 percent three years ago.

When it comes to regulating the industry, 78 percent of Americans favor allowing the states to continue doing it rather than the federal government, the survey says.

Industry leaders fear the move on Capitol Hill to study gaming's impact may lead to federal regulations and taxes.

"The casino industry in Nevada is no longer insulated from the rest of America," Mon said. "What happens with issues related to gaming on Capitol Hill, in Missouri, Illinois or on tribal lands throughout this country now has a direct impact on our business in Nevada."

The survey shows that 58 percent of the population believes the monetary benefits of gaming offset its negative influences on a community.

Another 63 percent believe casinos bring money into a local economy without hurting existing businesses.

In the past year, the survey says, casinos in the United States generated 71,500 jobs and $520 million in additional state and local taxes.

Phil Satre, president and chief executive officer of Harrah's Entertainment, said the "high level of acceptance" of gaming is reflected in a growing number of casino visits.

California had the most residents (15 million) visiting casinos last year, according to the survey.

Next came Illinois, Louisiana and New York with 10 million visits.

The findings in the Harrah's survey were based on a questionnaire developed by the Home Testing Institute. The questions about the acceptance and attitudes of gaming were developed by Yankelovich Partners Inc.

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