Poll: Marylanders Object Growing Casino Industry
BALTIMORE, Md. (WJZ)--Marylanders are making up their minds about casino gambling after a new poll suggests some cooling off on the idea.
Yet as Pat Warren reports the casinos haven't lost their popularity.
Marylanders aren't as likely to jump on the band wagon of casino gambling now than a couple years ago, according to a Washington Post University of Maryland poll.
With the Horseshoe Casino newly opened in Baltimore and MGM opening its doors in Prince George's County next year, the previously undecided seem to be making up their minds.
Lorren Rugle directs the Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling.
" I think it's like anything, like buying a house…wow…this house is great then you start living in it and you notice, well there's a crack there, and this doesn't work the way I thought it would," said Lorren Rugel.
The poll asks Marylanders whether gambling is a good or a bad thing. More than half, 53%, say it's a good thing. 38% say it is a bad thing. That's up 11 points from the 27% who called it bad in 2012. And the share of that negative view went up 15 points in the City and Baltimore County.
The 53% that call casinos good is unchanged from 2012, but there's been a significant drop in the number of undecided.
"So when you're living with something you notice the pitfalls as well as some of the fun aspects of it," said Rugle.
Most seem happy to continue--and the state is happy to collect the revenue for Maryland schools
The Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling provides information and tips on gambling safety.