JEFFERSON CITY, MO – A statewide phone survey conducted last month by Public Opinion Strategies, one of the nation’s leading public opinion research firms in the country, found that an overwhelming majority of Missourians oppose allowing video lottery terminal slot machines (VTLs) in the state’s gas stations, convenience stores, bars or taverns. In total, 57% of the 600 respondents oppose legalizing VLTs while only 36% are in favor.
Clear majorities of every major demographic group oppose VLTs across Missouri. Republicans, conservatives, frequent churchgoers, Democrats, liberals, independents and African Americans all oppose VLT expansion.
“We conducted a statewide survey with a representative sample of likely voters in Missouri and found that no partisan or swing voting group favor expanding VLTs in the state,” said Jim Hobart, a partner of Public Opinion Strategies, the organization that conducted the survey. “The intensity gap was stark, with four times as many voters strongly opposed compared to those strongly in favor. An intensity gap like this is a clear warning sign for this type of public policy issue.”
Public Opinion Strategies conducted a statewide survey of N=600 likely voters in Missouri. The survey was conducted January 19 to 21, 2025 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.0% in 95 out of 100 cases. Ninety-three percent (93%) of interviews were conducted with cell phone respondents and 7% of interviews were conducted with landline respondents
“This study confirms that Missourians understand that VLTs and illegal gambling machines harm individuals and businesses. Missouri citizens have been expressing their disapproval more and more, which has led numerous municipalities like Springfield and others in the St. Louis region to take steps to restrict local operation of VLTs,” said Mike Winter, Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Association. “Put simply, voters overall, especially key Republican and Democratic voting groups, have no appetite for VLTs.
Founded in 1991, Public Opinion Strategies is a national political and public affairs research firm and the largest Republican polling firm in the country. The firm has conducted 11 million interviews and completed over 25,000 qualitative and quantitative research projects. Services include initiative campaigns at the state, regional and local levels; stadium and sports-related research; and polling for legislative caucuses and candidates for clients in all 50 states.
###
