newjerseynewsroom.com

Question will be on Nov. 8 ballot

New Jersey voters strongly support a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would allow betting on sporting events in Atlantic City casinos and at race tracks, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released Wednesday.

Sports betting, which will be on the Nov. 8 ballot, is supported by 58 percent of likely voters, while 31 percent oppose. Among Republicans, support is even higher, at 64 percent, while 58 percent of Democrats and 54 percent of independents support the measure.

Sports betting in New Jersey is presently prohibited by the federal government.

“While amending the New Jersey Constitution, this ballot measure will not have any practical effect unless the federal government lifts its ban on sports Prof. David Redlawsk, the poll’s director, said. “Nonetheless, New Jerseyans are ready to position New Jersey to take advantage of any change in federal law.”

Voters living in the Shore counties of Monmouth, Ocean and Atlantic are the strongest supporters of sports betting. Nearly three-quarters of likely Shore voters would support sports gambling, while suburban voters are far behind at 57 percent. Just over half (54 percent) of South Jersey/Camden area voters support the measure, similar to North Jersey urban and exurban voters at 52 percent and 51 percent in favor.

“Supporters argue sports gambling would provide a much needed economic boost to the gaming industry and bring in new revenue to the state,” Redlawsk said. “The potential for economic benefits seems to overcome any possible doubts in the part of the state that should gain the most.”

Likely voters in union households are stronger supporters than those not in unions, 63 percent to 56 percent. Employment status, however, does not appear to have a significant impact on support for the sports betting. Those employed full time and those not employed at all have the same level of support at 58 percent.

Almost two-thirds of Catholic likely voters support sports gambling, while 48 percent of Protestant voters agree. One-quarter of Catholics oppose the measure as do 40 percent of Protestants. Voters who call themselves evangelical or born-again Christians are nearly evenly split; 46 percent opposed and 44 percent in favor.

Frequency of attendance at religious services appears more important than adherence to a specific religion, with fewer than half (47 percent) of those who attend services at least weekly in favor of allowing betting on sports. Support steadily increases as attendance declines, with 58 percent of those who attend almost every week, and more than 60 percent of those attending less often favoring the proposal.

“It’s not all that surprising that while Catholics support the amendment, evangelicals are most opposed,” Redlawsk said. “Economic development needs may well take a back seat to questions of morality among those who are more conservative in their religious traditions.”