The latest polling shows broad support
Polling Shows Texans Support Limited Number of Destination Resort Casinos
Statewide survey shows broad support among Republicans and Democrats.
AUSTIN, TX - Today the Texas Gaming Association (TGA) released additional polling data showing that 67% of Texans support destination resort casinos and an overwhelming majority, 86%, believe the legislature should let the voters decide.
“This poll shows that Texans, regardless of region or party affiliation, support destination resort casinos and believe gambling is a personal choice and responsibility,” said Scott Dunaway, spokesperson for the TGA. “They want the opportunity to vote on the issue and the opportunity to keep Texas dollars in Texas instead of sending money on a one-way ticket to Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico to pay for their schools and highways.”
The survey results were developed by Wilson Research Strategies (WRS), one of the top political and corporate polling firms in the country. WRS surveyed 1,000 registered voters between February 27 and March 1, 2011, for this poll.
The Texas House of Representatives Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures will hold a public hearing at the state capitol building this Tuesday, March 29 to take public testimony on a variety of proposals to expand gaming in Texas, including HJR 112, legislation that would authorize a limited number of destination resort casinos in Texas.
Poll Results:
“The constitutional amendment creating the Texas Gaming Commission and authorizing and regulating a limited number of destination resort casinos by licensed operators and certain Indian tribes to provide money for property tax relief and additional financial aid for higher education students.”
Total:
Total For - 67%
Total Against - 29%
Undecided - 3%
Refused/Would Not Vote - 1%
By Party Affiliation:
Democrats:
Vote For - 75%
Vote Against -19%
Undecided/Refused - 6%
Republicans:
Vote For - 65%
Vote Against - 33%
Undecided/Refused - 2%
Independents:
Vote For - 61%
Vote Against - 34%
Undecided/Refused - 5%
Support By Region:
Austin - 59%
Central Texas - 53%
Dallas/Ft. Worth - 66%
East Texas - 73%
Houston - 73%
San Antonio - 66%
South Texas - 68%
West Texas - 63%
“The legislature should let the voters decide whether and what kind of expanded gambling options should be allowed in Texas.”
Agree - 86%
Disagree - 12%
Don’t Know/Refused - 2%
“Texans lose billions of dollars to out of state casinos, and are paying for the public schools and highways in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Texas could use that money to improve our own services.”
Agree - 79%
Disagree - 18%
Don’t Know/Refused - 3%
“Whether or not a person decides to gamble and how much they gamble is a matter of personal choice and responsibility.”
Agree - 92%
Disagree - 7%
Don’t Know/Refused - 1%
“A limited number of destination resort casinos that are regulated and taxed by the state is better than having tens of thousands of illegal and unregulated slot machines in places like convenience stores and strip malls.”
Agree - 81%
Disagree - 14%
Don’t Know/Refused - 5%
###
About The Texas Gaming Association
TGA is a 501 (c) (6) trade association focused on promoting legislation to allow a limited number of destination resort casinos in the State of Texas. All legislative advocacy and advertising is paid for by the Texas Gaming Association. For more information please visit www.texasgamingassociation.com.
About Wilson Research Strategies
Since 1998, WRS has been a leading provider of political polling for campaigns from Mayor and City Council to Governor and U.S. Senate in 47 states and several foreign countries. In 2007-2008 alone, WRS conducted polling in 252 races for campaigns, caucuses and independent expenditures efforts.
In addition to our political and policy research, WRS provides research to more than 200 not-for-profit organizations around the country and dozens of large and small colleges and universities have relied on WRS’s data and analysis. WRS’s corporate research arm has provided market research to more than 100 of the Fortune 500 and to hundreds of small and medium businesses nationwide.