The Opposition are calling on the Premier to drop gaming and instead put gun violence at the top of Government's agenda.

Deputy leader Trevor Moniz last night claimed the Parliamentary debate on the issue had exposed "an obvious split in the Government".

And he questioned what actions Deputy Premier Paula Cox and fellow Ministers had originally taken to make their feelings known in Cabinet.

Friday's debate in the House of Assembly revealed a dearth of support for the Premier's Green Paper on Gaming, with 14 Government MPs voicing their opposition six of whom were Cabinet Ministers.

Many are said to have taken their lead from Ms Cox, in speaking against the proposals.

Finance Minister Ms Cox was one of the first MPs to speak. She said: "At this stage, where Bermuda stands right now, I do not see gaming as the right thing for Bermuda."

Energy Minister Michael Scott, Health Minister Walter Roban and Environment Minister Elvin James previous supporters of the Premier's cruise ship gaming bill, also voiced their objections.

Premier Ewart Brown received the support of all his Cabinet Ministers in the cruise ship gaming bill debate last July. The legislation, which would have allowed gambling on ships in port, was however defeated, by 18 votes to 11.

Friday's debate witnessed 24 MPs in opposition. Some Government MPs even supported the UBP's calls for the issue to be put to a referendum. Only three PLP MPs voiced their support for Dr. Brown's stance Minister without Portfolio Zane DeSilva, Walter Lister and Michael Weeks.

Mr. Moniz said it revealed a division in Government. And he questioned whether Cabinet members had made their views known to Dr. Brown in the early stages, when gaming was being mooted in Cabinet.

Mr. Moniz also echoed comments by Government MPs Alex Scott and Dennis Lister, that there were currently "more important issues" for the Country to focus on, namely gang-related shootings.

"The United Bermuda Party expects the Premier to focus his Government's attention on pressing national concerns such as gun violence and economic dislocation, and to drop his push for gaming," said the UBP MP last night. "There is obviously no Parliamentary support or popular groundswell of support for the gaming initiative at this time, let alone for a referendum on the matter.

"We were astounded by the turn of events on Friday when it became clear the Premier's promotion of casinos for Bermuda had meagre support from his own Government.

"It is incredible to us that this issue powered by a significant investment in time, money and political capital remained at the top of the Government's agenda, with the Island facing what we consider to be the most serious of threats to our way of life the onslaught of gang-related gun violence.

"How this initiative made it to the House of Assembly without the support of a majority of MPs and Cabinet Ministers raises serious questions about the integrity of the decision-making process within the PLP Caucus and the Cabinet."

He said: "Finance Minister Paula Cox has received kudos from her colleagues for her 'pivotal', 'most important' speech, but for all her so-called boldness we are left wondering where she and her colleagues were when this matter was moved forward at the Cabinet table.

"Whatever the case, the gaming issue underscored the fact that there is an obvious split in the Government."

He added: "The House of Assembly made clear where it stands on gaming. There is no significant support for it and so we will assume the matter is settled.

"We are sure the Premier saw that on Friday, but we remain concerned that he didn't simply say to the House: 'That's it. Let's move on to more important matters'.

"We look forward to hearing him make that statement."

Both Dr. Brown and Ms Cox did not return this newspaper's requests for comment last night. The Premier is currently off-Island in Russia.