ican public opinion remains against the legalisation of internet gaming, a poll of 1,151 people by Fairleigh Dickinson University has found.

Although only three states, New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada, permit online gambling, around ten states are considering legalisation.

A majority (65%) of Americans are not following the news about the issue very closely. However when asked if they favour or oppose allowing casinos to run online gambling for people in their states, 63% were opposed and only 27% approved. These numbers are largely unchanged from last year.

The gender gap also remains static on the issue. Although the majority of both men and women are opposed, men are 14 percentage points more likely to favour legalisation.

Krista Jenkins, poll director and a politics professor, said: "More and more states may be considering it but the public doesn't seem to be buying it. Right now, online gambling looks to be a long shot in the court of public opinion."

When given a choice between the legalisation of online gambling or of marijuana, 52% choose marijuana and only 20% selected gambling.