According to the results of an opinion poll released on Wednesday, New York state voters support legalised casino gambling by a 56-37 margin.
The US state of New York currently allows casino gambling on Native American lands and electronic slot machines at horse racing tracks where pari-mutuel wagering – or pool betting – is allowed.
However, any expansion to casino gambling, such as that available in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, requires a constitutional amendment.
According to Reuters, 64 per cent of those who responded to the Quinnipiac University poll said creating casinos similar to those in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, New Jersey, would be good for the local economy.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said the state should consider legalising casino gambling for games such as blackjack and roulette, which would bring extra tax revenue to a state that faces a long-term fiscal crunch.
He added he is aiming to reach a decision on whether to support the bid by next January.
In order to act on any decision on legalising casino gambling in the state, two consecutive legislatures must approve a proposed amendment, which could then go before the voters in a referendum – meaning it would take till at least 2013 to see legalised casino gambling in New York.
The September 13-18 poll of 1,016 registered voters had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, according to Quinnipiac.
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