Methodology

Zogby International conducted interviews of 919 adults chosen at random in New York State. All calls were made from Zogby International headquarters in Utica, N.Y., from Wednesday, March 10 to Friday, March 12, 2004. The margin of error is +/- 3.3 percentage points. Slight weights were added to region, party, age, race, religion, and gender to more accurately reflect the population. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest percent and might not total 100.

Narrative Summary

8. Do you personally know anyone who has run into debt problems, job problems, legal problems, or family problems because of gambling or betting too much?

Yes 24%

No 76

One-fourth of respondents say they know someone who has run into these problems as a result of gambling or betting too much.

In almost every sub-group, one-fifth or more knows someone like this. Among the most likely are approximately 30% of 50-64 year-olds, Jewish respondents, and people with annual household income less than $15,000, $25,000-$34,999, and $75,000 or more.

More than four in five seniors 65 and older, African Americans (85%), high school graduates, and people with household income of $15,000-$24,999 say they do not know someone who has run into problems because of gambling or betting too much.

9. How would you complete the following statement? Expanding gambling by the State of New York ________ increase the number of people with gambling problems.

Will definitely 31%

Will probably 36 Will 67%

Will probably not 24

Will definitely not 5 Will not 29

Not sure 4

Two-thirds of adults in New York State feel that expanding gambling by the state will definitely or probably increase the number of people with gambling problems. This includes close to one-third overall who say this will definitely lead to an increase in the number of people with gambling problems. On the other hand, approximately three in ten feel the expansion of gambling by the state will probably or definitely not increase the number of people with gambling problems, although these respondents are much more likely to say probably not than definitely not.

Among the most likely to say this will definitely or probably increase the number of people with gambling problems are African Americans (83%) and approximately three-fourths of seniors 65 and older, high school graduates, Protestants, people with household income of $25,000-$34,999, and those who personally know someone who has run into problems due to gambling or betting too much.

More than two-fifths of African Americans (47%), adults with less than a high school diploma, and those who personally know someone who has run into problems due to gambling or betting too much say expanding gambling will definitely increase the number of people with gambling problems. People with household income less than $50,000 are more likely than those with higher income to agree.

Two-fifths of 50-64 year-olds and just over one-third of 18-29 year-olds, residents of New York’s suburbs, and people with household income of $50,000-$74,999 feel the expansion of gambling by the state will definitely or probably not increase the number of people with gambling problems.

10. Should New York State support expanded efforts to prevent and treat problem gambling?

Yes, it’s a good idea 37%

It might be helpful 32 Positive 69%

Don’t particularly like the idea 12

No, it's a bad idea 14 Negative 26

Not sure 5

Combined, over two-thirds of respondents (69%) feel that expanded efforts by the state to support prevention and treatment of problem gambling would either be a good idea or could be helpful. Conversely, one in four either don’t particularly like the idea or think it is a bad idea.

Three-fifths or more of people in almost every sub-group have positive views of increasing efforts to prevent and treat problem gambling. The most likely to agree are Hispanics (90%), African Americans (82%), and approximately three-fourths of 18-29 year-olds, adults with less than a high school diploma, and people with household income of $25,000-$34,999.

Those who are more likely to have negative views of increasing efforts to prevent and treat problem gambling include just fewer than one-third of whites, Upstate residents, 50-64 year-olds, and Protestants. Republicans (38%) and independent voters (36%) are twice as likely as Democrats (19%) to have negative views.

11. Are you aware of any Problem Gambling Treatment Center in your area?

Yes 9%

No 90

Not sure 1

Overall, 9% of respondents are aware of a Problem Gambling Treatment Center in their area. This includes almost one-fifth of those who personally know someone who has run into problems due to gambling or betting too much. Others who are more likely to be aware of these centers include 15% of people with household income of $75,000 or more, and approximately one in nine Upstate residents, 30-64 year-olds, whites, and those with household income less than $15,000.

Almost all (at least 95% of) seniors 65 and older, African Americans, and high school graduates are not aware of these centers in their areas.