According to a new statewide poll
conducted by Baselice and Associates and released today, the vast majority of
voters favor allowing slot machines at Texas race tracks and Indian casinos. Texas voters favored the
proposal by a margin of 75 – 23 percent.
The survey of 1006 Texas
voters was conducted between February 7-11, 2009 and has a margin of error of
+/- 3.1 percent.
“Our breadth of support cuts across all lines of gender,
race and party,” said Tommy Azapardi, executive director of Texans for Economic
Development. “In these economic times, voters are very motivated by the 53,000
new jobs and the billion dollars a year for state coffers racinos could
generate for the state.”
The survey also highlighted Texans’ dissatisfaction over
losing billions every year to racinos in neighboring states. Overwhelmingly,
voters want to recapture as much of that money as possible.
Texans also believe it to be a priority to preserve and
grow the state’s horse industry, which is in decline because neighboring states
use gaming proceeds to boost purses at their racetracks.
Informed support ranges from 68 percent of conservative
Republicans to 84 percent of moderate/liberal Democrats. In addition, 77
percent of African-Americans, 73 percent of Anglos, and 79 percent of Hispanics
favor slot machines at the tracks and on Indian reservations.
Texans also approve of the added enforcement resources
brought to bear against illegal eight-liners and tightly regulating legal slot
machines at racetracks. This provision will likely be included in any future
legislation as it has been in the past.
Legislation allowing a statewide vote on a racino proposal
is expected to be filed shortly.
Poll shows support for slots at Texas tracks
February 24, 2009
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