With Rodney Ellis and John Carona filing legislation to bring casinos to the Lone Star state, I thought I would poll voters to see how they felt about the subject. First, I asked likely voters what they thought about bringing casinos to Texas. Then I asked a followup question based on their initial response.

If they were in favor, I listed some of the opponents' arguments. If they were opposed, I listed some of the supporters' arguments. If they were undecided, I listed both the pro and con arguments. Then I asked if any opinions had changed. Only a couple of percent switched sides completely, but there was a strong shift to 'Undecided.' It would appear that a heavy PR campaign could shift this either way.

Questions and details after the jump.

Initially, the pro-casino voters won, 52% to 41% with 7% undecided. But after hearing the arguments below, 23% of the pro-casino voters and 16% of the anti-casino voters switched to 'Undecided.' About 10% of the initial undecided moved into each of the pro and con camps.

After the arguments, the pro-casino voters still led, but only by a 42% to 34% margin, with undecided up from 7% to 24%.

The questions:

Gambling in general

Several bills have been introduced by the Texas Legislature to allow limited casino gambling in Texas. Sponsored by a Dallas Republican and a Houston Democrat, the bills would require voters to approve an amendment to the state constitution before going into effect. In general, would you be in favor of allowing casinos in Texas?

If Opposed

Supporters of these bills estimate up to $4 billion in annual revenue from the proposed casinos. Of this, $1 Billion would be dedicated towards grants and scholarships for tuition at community colleges and universities. Supporters also estimate $10 billion leaves Texas annually for casinos in other states. Do any of these reasons make you more supportive of the bill?

If in Favor

Opponents of these bills point to increases in crime, gambling addiction and family instability where Casinos have been introduced. In addition, tax revenue from gambling tends to be regressive; taking a larger percentage of income from lower economic segments. Do any of these reasons make you less supportive of the bill?

If Undecided

Supporters of these bills estimate up to $4 billion in annual revenue from the proposed casinos. Of this, $1 Billion would be dedicated towards grants and scholarships for tuition at community colleges and universities. Supporters also estimate $10 billion leaves Texas annually for casinos in other states. Opponents of these bills point to increases in crime, gambling addiction and family instability where Casinos have been introduced. In addition, tax revenue from gambling tends to be regressive; taking a larger percentage of income from lower economic segments. Do any of these reasons change your opinion of the bill?

514 likely voters surveyed, MOE 4.3%