Poll Indicates Majority Support For Casinos In TexasSports Betting Also Favored By Residents |
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As the prospects of legalizing casino gambling in Texas continue to make headlines, a new poll points to support for legalization from a majority of residents in the Lone Star State.
The new survey was conducted by the Hispanic Policy Foundation and asked 1,600 likely voters their thoughts on several types of gambling. The poll found that 56% of Texans support the legalization of destination resort casinos, a plan that has been pushed by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who recently sold a majority share of the team to the Las Vegas Sands Corp.
“There is a strong majority consensus among Texans across 21 socio-demographic sub-groups in favor of the casino legislation,” said Mark P. Jones, foundation chief information and analytics officer and fellow in political science at Rice University’s Baker Institute. “Regardless of gender, ethnicity/race, age, education, level of partisanship or even religion, an absolute majority of every sub-group of Texans supports the construction and operation of Destination Resort Casinos in Texas.”
Support For Casinos, Sports Betting
There have been efforts in the state legislature at legalizing casinos and sports betting in recent years, but those have all failed so far. Adding casinos would require approval in the legislature and then for voters to approve a constitutional amendment. Gov. Greg Abbot® has expressed some support for expanded gambling in the past.
The survey found that support for casinos was bipartisan among Texans. A total of 61% support legalization with a majority of women also in support at 54%. African Americans registered 68% support with Hispanics and Anglos at 58% and 54%, respectively. A majority of Texans who identify as “born-again” Christians also support destination resort casinos at 52%.
The poll not only notes support for casinos, but also found that 47% support online sports betting. Only 41% supported sportsbooks inside Texas pro sports venues with 42% against.
“Since the reauthorization of parimutuel betting in Texas in 1991, various members of the Texas Legislature have endeavored to expand Texas-based gaming in some form or other, with the most recent initiatives being in the sports gaming and destination resort casino gaming sectors,” foundation Chairman and CEO Jason Villalba said.
“Given the results of this survey, it is clear that the public appetite for additional gaming opportunities now matches the political appetite, not only with traditional supporters of gaming, but also with church-going Texans and women – that is a major change from what we have seen in recent legislative cycles.”
Because the state legislature meets every two years, the issue couldn’t be considered by lawmakers again until January 2025. However, Las Vegas Sand is now funding a petition drive in the state via the group known as Texas Destination Resort Alliance to send the issue to voters in the Lone Star State
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