Survey Shows Gaming in NH Gaining Support

The latest Granite State Poll released on Feb. 11 features good news for those in favor of expanded gaming in New Hampshire, as that revenue option was the only somewhat popular method among the 581 random respondents.

The poll, sponsored by WMUR-TV and conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, indicates that 46 percent of those interviewed would be more likely to vote for a state senator who favored legalized gambling.

In comparison, 57 percent said they would not support a state senator who favored a sales tax, 62 percent would not support a state senator who favored an income tax and 78 percent would not support a state senator who favored a property tax.

A total of 45 percent of those who were polled answered that gaming was the funding option closest to their position, while in contrast only 20 percent answered that a sales tax was closest to their position.

The survey, which was completed by Andrew E. Smith and Chad S Novak, also says that there has been an uptick since Nov. 1999 of those who have answered that legalized gambling is the funding option closest to their position.

Another striking statistic from the poll is the number of New Hampshire adults who support legalized gambling, with 62 percent of respondents supporting gaming (39 percent strongly and 23 percent somewhat). Only 32 percent of those polled are against gaming, although the survey also indicates that they are more passionate about the issue.

The poll also breaks down specific demographic information of each respondent. Categories include political party, age, gender, level of education, geographic location in the sate and level of attendance at religious services.

The poll was conducted by phone between Jan. 30 and Feb. 5, with the margin of sampling error totaling +/- 4.1 percent.