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The poll found opposition to be strongest in East York but Mr. Wright notes that in the old city of Toronto, home to some of the loudest anti-casino voices, opinion is fairly split.

The online survey of 906 people conducted last week is considered accurate plus or minus 3.7%.

The results come amid another day of heightened casino talk in Toronto, with the chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International speaking at a downtown business luncheon while the issue dominated a Toronto East York Community Council meeting at city hall.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation announced last year it intends to build a new gambling facility in the GTA, and pegged downtown Toronto as its first choice.

The city recently wrapped up a series of public consultation sessions that will help inform council’s decision on the issue, expected to be in March. The mayor has made no secret of where he stands on the issue, saying he can’t see how the city could pass up a deal that brings in well paying jobs.

The Ipsos poll found that support for a casino is lowest in East York (30% on the first question, and 40% when asked a second time), followed by the old city of Toronto (46% and 51%, respectively). It was highest in Etobicoke (57% and 59%) and North York (58% and 56%). Men are more likely to support a casino than women, those between the ages of 35 and 54 are most receptive to the idea, along with middle income earners making between $50,000-$99,000 a year.