The three Delaware casinos released a survey in December that states that Delaware voters think three casinos is just about right for the First State reports The News Journal.
Dover Downs, Delaware Park and Harrington Raceway have launched a public relations campaign — including a Web site and a self-commissioned study — condemning the idea of added venues and encouraging employees to pressure lawmakers.
Ginger Gibson interviews House Majority Leader Pete Schwartzkopf who rightly points out the flaws in the Axis of Weasel’s survey such as the formation and the absurdity of the questions.
The poll asked: “As many as eight additional casinos have been proposed in Sussex, downtown Wilmington and elsewhere in New Castle County. Do you favor or oppose these proposals or aren’t you sure?” Fifty-nine percent responded that they either “oppose strongly” or “oppose not so strongly.”
The problem, Schwartzkopf said, is that no one has proposed adding eight new casinos, not even half of that.
Gibson also writes that the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce and others support this thinly veiled protectionist publicity campaign. What amazes me is how a business organization can support a campaign that does not promote competition.