The answer may well determine whether voters reverse their longstanding opposition to casino gambling within the state.

Although opinions could well be swayed by the deluge of ads planned for the next four weeks, a proposed state constitutional amendment that would allow a casino near Wilmington is ahead by 9 points in a new Dispatch Poll.

"I oppose Issue 6," said poll participant Coleman, 37, a doctoral student from Hudson in northeastern Ohio. "There are too many loopholes in the proposed amendment, and I think the revenue projections are too high. There are only so many gambling dollars to go around and no guarantee that they will be spent here.

"It would be a shame if the voters approved this amendment and allowed one company to have a monopoly on casino gambling in Ohio."

But Koneval, 20, a student at Youngstown State University from nearby Hubbard, took the opposite stance.

"I feel that the lack of permission for casinos to be built in Ohio is ridiculous," she said. "We live in troubled financial times, and there is no reason why our state should be giving up desperately needed revenue as well as discarding the chance for greatly needed jobs."

Two other matters in the Dispatch survey aren't as close: Democrat Richard Cordray leads by 19 points in the three-way special election for attorney general -- although nearly a third remain undecided -- and state Issue 2 is favored by 2 1/2 -1. That proposed constitutional amendment would allow the state to issue $400 million in bonds to continue the Clean Ohio program plus pay for preservation of natural areas and redevelopment of both public and private land.

But it's the casino battle royale that likely will see more spent on advertising than even the presidential race in battleground Ohio. The issue would authorize a single $600 million casino resort in Clinton County near I-71, roughly halfway between Columbus and Cincinnati.

Backers say the facility with "Midwestern sensibilities" would create 5,000 permanent jobs with an average wage of $34,000, and add 6,800 more in spinoff tourism jobs. The casino would generate $800 million a year in revenue, with $240 million to be split among Ohio counties based on population, supporters say.

A state analysis, however, warns that the tax revenue could dwindle to zero if any Indian casino overcomes current legal roadblocks to build in Ohio.

Opposition has formed along two prongs. One is a coalition of conservatives and religious leaders, including U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich, that has successfully led the charge in three elections since 1990 to defeat various casino proposals. The other is bankrolled by Penn National Gaming, owner of the Argosy casino in Sioux City, Ind., and Raceway Park in Toledo.

Many proponents say the time has come for economically ravaged Ohio -- especially the area near the proposed casino, which is experiencing thousands of lost jobs as automotive plants close and air-cargo contracts end -- to reap the casino cash that most surrounding states are getting.

"Ignoring any moral and ethical issues regarding gambling, I think this would be an economic boost for our state," said survey respondent Kim Fallon, a 34-year-old teacher from Akron.

"With job loss in Ohio at record levels, anything that would bring in substantial job opportunities and revenue for the state would be helpful. If Ohioans are willing to drive to surrounding states to gamble, why not offer that in our own state and support Ohio's economy instead of West Virginia's?"

Martin Stetz of Wickliffe, near Cleveland, echoes her sentiments.

"While I'm not a gambler myself, I think it makes sense to allow the people of Ohio to spend their money here in Ohio instead of New York or West Virginia," said the 51-year-old customer-service representative.

But Sue Raypole, 65, of Washington Court House expresses the concerns of many others.

"I do not support casinos being built in Ohio because of all the crime associated with gambling," said the retired manufacturing manager.

The poll of 2,262 likely Ohio voters was conducted Sept. 24 through Friday. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2 percentage points.

drowland@dispatch.com