Casino news from http://www.projo.com/
PROVIDENCE -- For the second time in less than three weeks, an independent poll has shown that the majority of Rhode Islanders oppose an effort to change the state Constitution to bring a Narragansett Indian casino to West Warwick.
With the election four weeks away, a poll released today by Rhode Island College's Bureau of Government Research and Services shows that 56 percent of likely voters oppose the casino, while 33 percent support it; 10 percent are undecided.
The survey of 459 randomly selected registered voters was conducted Oct. 2 to Oct. 4.
On Oct. 2, reports emerged that the Narragansett’s financial backer, Harrah’s Entertainment, may be sold to two private equity firms, fueling widespread criticism among casino opponents. The proposed constitutional amendment does not specifically name Harrah’s, but the tribe’s partnership with the Las Vegas-based casino company is no secret.
“Now, in the eleventh hour, another important question comes into play. I think it must have hurt them,” said Patti Doyle, a spokeswoman for anti-casino group Save Our State. “We’re thrilled [by the new poll]. Overall, I think that Rhode Islanders are recognizing that the messages Harrah’s is putting forward aren’t truthful or credible.”
Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas dismissed today's poll results, noting that Rhode Island College pollster Victor Profughi released a poll two weeks before the Republican primary giving Senate candidate Stephen Laffey a 17-point lead. U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee won that contest by 8 points.
“Polls go up and down. If the last Rhode Island College poll was correct, Steve Laffey would be the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate,” Thomas said in a statement. “Among our supporters is the diversity in populations in Rhode Island which are traditionally under sampled in polls. There are many, many culturally diverse groups in Rhode Island and we believe that these supporters were not reached.”
Profughi’s findings are consistent with other recent polls. Brown University said on Sept. 19 that casino opponents outnumbered supporters 55 percent to 36 percent.
And in contrast to previous polls, the Rhode Island College survey used similar wording as the upcoming ballot question, noting that tax revenue generated by the casino would be used for property-tax relief. It asked, "Thinking now about the proposed casino, will you vote for or against the constitutional amendment to authorize a resort casino in West Warwick, to be privately owned and operated in association with the Narragansett Indian tribe, with casino taxes used for property-tax relief?"
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