Most metro Atlanta voters say video lottery terminals have no place in Georgia, even if it’s to raise money for the HOPE scholarship, according to a poll conducted by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

53 percent of 625 local voters say they are against expanding gambling to include "video-style slot machines." 40 percent support the idea, while the rest are undecided.

The poll gives insight into a question that republicans will see on their ballot in Tuesday’s primary. The non-binding referendum asks Georgia voters if Georgia should have "casino gambling with funds going to education."

It will be the first time voters have been asked about gambling since the lottery was approved 20 years ago.

“I don't think it's necessarily the best choice,” Gwinnett County voter Hollis Robinson told Channel 2 Action News. “Not that it's too iffy, not that it wouldn't make money, but there are other things that are probably just as much of a guarantee as video gambling.”

Gwinnett County is a key battleground in the issue. A developer has pitched building a $1 billion gambling resort in Norcross that could pump $350 million each year into the cash-strapped HOPE scholarship program.

“I think it's a great idea, I think it could help the area with money and everything,” said Gwinnett resident Claudia Trillo.

• CLICK HERE: For a closer look at the poll

The lottery is looking for ways to increase sales to fund the cash-strapped HOPE scholarship. It voted last month to make Georgia one of the first states to expand lottery sales to the Internet.

But opponents are worried more gambling would lead to more crime and a drop in property values.

The result seems unlikely to sway Gov. Nathan Deal, who appoints the lottery board. He has been outspoken against the idea since he took office.

"I'm not ready to go there at this point," he said.

The poll sampled 625 local voters. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.