SACRAMENTO (KCBS) – Why limit gambling on sports to the Vegas casinos when our state could make millions in taxes from it? That’s the current thinking in New Jersey, New York, and now California, where there’s a drive to allow gambling on sports – but only at places where other kinds of betting are already legal.

Now, a new Field Poll shows California voters firmly endorse the idea of legalizing sports betting in California to help the state balance its budget.

“Card clubs, race tracks, horse racing, satellite facilities at county fairgrounds, Indian casinos all would have access to sports betting under a proposed law in the Legislature,” explained Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo, who notes that Congress would have to change federal law to allow it.

Californians appear to favor it, 58 percent to 35 percent, according to the poll results.

“Democrats and non-partisans are supportive two-to-one, Republicans are about evenly divided but they’re not opposed and most of the other major subgroups are in favor with the group that has the greatest level of support being younger voters under the age of 40,” said DiCamillo.

Californians are less supportive of legalizing online poker, only favoring that 49 percent to 45 percent.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)