This story was corrected on Jan. 31, 2012. An explanation follows the story.

A new poll suggesting most state and Prince George’s residents favor bringing slots to the county is unlikely to affect the debate about allowing the gambling machines, according to Prince George’s legislators.

A Washington Post poll, published Sunday, found 57 percent of Prince George’s residents supported a slots casino at a location such as Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington or National Harbor near Oxon Hill. The same percentage of residents statewide back the idea.

However, the numbers aren’t likely to change lawmakers’ opinions on the matter, which aren’t really driven by such data, said Del. Doyle Niemann (D-Dist. 47) of Mount Rainier.

“I’m opposed to [slots] because it’s bad economics,” he said. “That’s independent of any polling data.”

Polling data on the slots issue was "all over the place," he said.

The poll’s sample size — 210 Prince George’s residents, with a margin of error of plus or minus 8 points — is too small to truly reflect the county’s feelings on the issue, said Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Dist. 23) of Bowie. The number of supporters and opponents would be closer to even with a larger sample size, he said.

Peters said he personally opposes slots, but thinks the issue should go to referendum. “If [the people] are all for it, it’s going to happen,” he said.

Slots casinos were authorized for five locations — none in Prince George’s — in a 2008 statewide referendum, and supporters — including Penn National Gaming, which owns Rosecroft — have called for expanding slots into Prince George’s.

The poll also found 61 percent of Marylanders supported allowing table games, such as roulette at existing casinos in the state, an idea favored by 58 percent of Prince George’s residents surveyed.

Allowing additional sites would require another statewide referendum, and the Prince George’s County Council has asked that such a referendum require a majority of votes in the county, as well as a majority of statewide voters.

Lawmakers from the county have yet to discuss a specific proposal to bring slots to the county, but Del. Veronica Turner (D-Dist. 26) of Camp Springs said she was open to slots if the revenue could be directed to a good cause, such as education. But, she needed to see a specific proposal to discuss with her colleagues and constituents before any decision could be made, she added.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach has suggested that slots revenue could help fund a proposed new regional medical center in the county, which is expected to cost about $600 million.

County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) has not taken a position on slots, but has said he wants to keep all options open.

dleaderman@gazette.net

Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters’ position on legalized slot machines in Maryland was incorrectly stated.