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By Jim DeBrosse, Staff Writer Updated 10:42 PM Saturday, October 24, 2009

In past years, support for casino issues dropped as Election Day got closer, but that hasn’t happened so far this year.

A Dayton Daily News/Ohio Newspaper Poll released today, Oct. 25, found 57 percent of registered voters supporting Issue 3, with 39 percent opposed.

That’s similar to a poll from a month ago, when registered voters favored the issue by 59 percent to 38 percent.

“The environment has never been this positive this late in the game,” said Eric Rademacher, co-director of the Institute of Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati, which conducted both polls.

Issue 3 would allow one gambling casino each in Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati. The poll found a majority of voters supporting the issue in each of the four regions in the state, with the strongest support — 66 percent — coming in southwest Ohio.

Rademacher believes that’s because more voters here are familiar with the casinos in Indiana and feel the area would benefit from one in Cincinnati. It could also mean there are more Democrats in southwest Ohio, he said. Democrats in the poll were more likely to support the issue than Republicans, 67 percent to 48 percent.

“There’s just too much of our money going out of state, and we ought to keep it,” explained Dale Dues, 57, of Minster, who plans to vote “yes.”

Bonnie Clayton, 58, of Bellbrook summed up the feelings of many Dayton-area voters. “If it creates jobs and makes money for the schools, that’s fine,” she said. “If you don’t like gambling, don’t go.”

But Jennifer Wiggins of Centerville said she hasn’t decided yet because the nearest casino would be in Cincinnati.

“If they were to put a casino in Dayton or the surrounding area, that would change my mind,” she said. “They keep saying it will bring more jobs to Ohio. We need jobs here in Dayton.”

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Yes on 3! Yes to jobs when our unemployment rate is in the double digits. Yes to tax revenues for our local communities and schools. Yes to a new reason to visit our biggest cities, given them a shot to grow and thrive. Let's put a stop to the $1 billion that's leaving our state for out-of-state casinos every year. Keep Ohio money in Ohio!

YES on 3!
10:24 AM, 10/26/2009

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Geez. If I had a spare $40 million, maybe I could buy myself a lower tax rate and put it is the constitution.

Issue 3 is a ripoff.

I'm voting no.

Vanessa
4:53 AM, 10/26/2009

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I am a Republican and I am going to support Issue 3. If it brings jobs (any jobs) then I am all for it. Ohio is sinking big time and it's time we support something that will help Ohio & the schools. This is a no brainer. If you don't like to gamble, then don't but don't force your values on me. Years ago Las Vegas use to be nothing but empty desert land, now it's family entertainment.
I know Cincy will be the closest to us, but it's a start. Keep the money in OHIO

Voting for Issue 3
11:16 PM, 10/25/2009

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Voting for Issue 3
11:13 PM, 10/25/2009

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I am voting no because last year when Wilmington would benefit from the jobs with the casino everyone voted no (I did vote yes). Why support it now then?

Voted yes last time
11:07 PM, 10/25/2009

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