Majority Of Mass. Residents Back Casino Bill

A majority of residents surveyed in a new statewide poll say they back a bill to license two resort-style casinos in Massachusetts, just not in their backyard.

A telephone survey of 481 residents by the Western New England College Polling Institute found that 58 percent support a bill approved by the Massachusetts House to license two casinos, while 35 percent are opposed.

Fifty-three percent say they don't want a casino in their community, down slightly from 57 percent in October.

The House bill would also allow up 750 slot machines at each of the state's four racetracks. The poll found that by a two to one margin, residents backed the idea.

The casino debate now shifts to the Senate.

The poll was conducted April 11-15 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.