Pennsylvanians back changes to use of casino tax

According to a poll, most Pennsylvanians are in favour of diverting casino tax subsidies from horseracing to other public purposes, such as education programmes.

US.- A poll in Pennsylvania has found strong support for a change in the destination of casino tax subsidies with the majority in favour of switching their focus from horseracing to other purposes.

Some 83 per cent of respondents were in favour of the change. Only 10 per cent said they would prefer the $240m annual allocation to continue being used to support the horseracing industry.

Commissioned by Education Voters of Pennsylvania, the poll was conducted by Franklin & Marshall College. It comes amid Governor Tom Wolf’s proposal to shift funds to his proposed Nellie Bly Scholarship Program.

The programme is intended to aid tens of thousands of university students in a high-tuition, high-debt state.

Pennsylvania currently allocates up to 12 per cent of slots tax to the Race Horse Development Fund, which pays for purses, breeder incentives, drug testing and enforcement activities.