A new poll by the Omega Group found there is widespread support for regulating online gambling; protecting minors from online gambling; giving Pennsylvania law enforcement jurisdiction over illegal offshore gambling websites; and for generating tax revenue for vital services.
The results also show strong electoral support for legislators who vote for legislation with provisions contained in House 649 (Payne-R-Dauphin).
Poll results include:
— By more than a 3 to 1 margin (66 percent to 20 percent), respondents want Pennsylvania to pass a law that will tax online gambling so the money can be used for education and other vital state programs.
— By more than a 5 to 1 margin (80 percent to 14 percent), 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 percent to 29 percent) want Pennsylvania to pass a law that requires online gambling sites to use new technologies to help problem gamblers by limiting losses, deposits and time played.
— A majority of respondents (52 percent to 30 percent) believe Pennsylvania law enforcement should have jurisdiction over online gambling websites.
— By more than a 2 to 1 margin (58 percent to 26 percent), respondents want Pennsylvania to pass a law that licenses and strictly regulates online gambling.
— By more than a 3 to 1 margin (61 percent to 17 percent), 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.
The survey was commissioned by Caesars Entertainment and was produced by the strategic research firm Omega Group of Wayne, Pa. Omega Group has more than 35 years experience in market research, and has been owned by Bravo Group since 2007.
