A report by City of Surrey staff to council Monday shows that, of those questioned, the majority of Surrey residents oppose the proposed South Surrey casino project.

Out of 3,855 Surrey residents, 3,220 were opposed while 635 were in favour of the $100 million project, which would bring a four-star hotel, 1,000-seat conference centre and casino to South Surrey.

The majority of the feedback received by staff was from residents in South Surrey.

As for those within a five-kilometre radius of the proposed site at 10th Avenue and 168th Street, 2,045 were opposed while 124 were in favour of it.

The numbers tell a clear picture on what residents really want, said Terry McNiece, president of the South Surrey Ratepayers Association.

"What happens is that when there's an issue like this, Surrey staff map it and what they do is look at the respondents based on their or civic addresses," he said. "They're able to show on a map who's against and for it and from what part of Surrey."

The staff report comes at the same time that Gateway released figures showing how much support it has been able to collect through petitions, online forms and door-to-door canvassing.

Tanya Gabara, community liaison for Gateway, said approximately 2,800 Surrey residents have expressed their support for the $100-million entertainment casino project, as well a further 4,900 non-Surrey residents.

"There is significant, undeniable public support for the South Surrey Entertainment Complex proposal," said Gabara in a statement.

However, McNiece wonders if Gateway's numbers should carry as much weight as there may not be civic addresses provided for each signature.

"With the Gateway questionnaires, the person doesn't actually have to show their address," said McNiece. "Providing an address is just optional and those numbers, they may have come from Langley, Burnaby and wherever else."

As such, McNiece feels the city should take Gateway's numbers with a grain of salt.

"(Gateway) can go anywhere they want and accumulate numbers," he said.

The project's gaming application was set to come before council at last night's land use and development meeting. A public hearing is expected to be scheduled for Jan. 14 if council chooses to move forward with the proposal.

Twitter @questionchris