Poll finds gaming issue most opposed state question

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004 | 9:13 a.m.

TULSA, Okla. -- While referendums to increase the state tobacco tax and create an education lottery are receiving substantial support, a new poll shows a proposal to give the state some authority over Indian casinos is running into the most opposition.

State Question 712 would create state-tribal compacts to generate funds for education. It also would allow three Oklahoma horse racing tracks to offer electronic gaming and provide for cash payments to Tulsa County's publicly owned track.

The latest Oklahoma Poll, taken of 753 registered voters statewide, showed that 51 percent of the statewide sample said they would vote for SQ 712. Thirty-nine percent said they oppose the issue while 10 percent were undecided.

Considering the poll's 3.5 percent margin of error, the fate of the gaming issue might still be up in the air, said the poll consultant, Al Soltow, executive director of research at the University of Tulsa.

SQ 712 supporters contend that the state needs more control over expanding Indian gaming and that the proposed state-tribal compacts would bring in $70 million annually for common and higher education.

Opponents say that gaming bears social costs, revenue projections are uncertain and the state share might be used to supplant education funding already in place.