Americans view casinos as they would any other business in their communities, according to a nationwide survey conducted on behalf of the American Gaming Association.
Leaders of the trade organisation and lobbying group are expected to use findings from the survey to help guide a planned public awareness campaign for the industry.
The survey could be part of an effort to make the gaming regulatory process more uniform in states with casinos. The opinions might help in an effort to lower the tax burden casinos face in some markets.
“There has never been a better time to go on the offensive,” American Gaming Association president Geoff Freeman said. “There is no need to be defensive. The public has seen the value of having casinos and we need to promote the hell out of the industry.”
The figures are being touted by the AGA as the highest support ever found for casinos in the annual survey, which took into account opinions of 1,000 registered voters across political lines. Nearly nine out of 10 of those surveyed - 87 per cent - thought gambling was an acceptable activity by Americans.
The AGA said more than 70 per cent of Americans believe casinos create jobs, strengthen communities and support local businesses. Also, 51 per cent of those surveyed thought casinos should be taxed like any other business.
The pollsters said Americans have become desensitised to the issue of gaming after more than 20 years of expansion that has landed commercial casinos in nearly two dozen states. In addition, more than 20 states have casinos owned by American Indian tribes.
