A Crown and Anchor operator is calling for the Island's gambling laws to be relaxed — claiming banned casino-type games are no riskier than the game he runs legally.

Bruce Simons, son of legendary Casey's Bar owner Nobby Simons, says many tourists enjoy Crown and Anchor as a traditional taste of Bermuda, win, lose or draw.

And he says while gaming may not be the silver bullet to save tourism on its own, it would ensure holidaymakers have more fun as well as providing jobs for local people and tax for Government.

Mr. Simons, who used to run casino nights in the Leopards Club before Government's crackdown on gambling, is ultimately hoping to set up his own school teaching Bermudians how to be croupiers at games like blackjack, craps and Texas Hold 'Em, which could also land people jobs on cruise ships.

He has been involved in Crown and Anchor since sitting under the table as a young boy when his father Nobby whipped up excitement among Cup Match crowds many years ago.

But while Mr. Simons is free to continue that tradition at cricket matches across the Island today, including county cup matches, he is baffled that other forms of gambling remain illegal.

"With Crown and Anchor, the risk is worse than at the casino games," Mr. Simons told The Royal Gazette.

"They say they don't want casinos, but you are more likely to lose at Crown and Anchor. You may lose a couple of hundred of dollars at Crown and Anchor but it's just about making sure you don't lose more than you can afford. Nobody ever lost a car that I know of, and nobody ever lost a house. The whole idea is to scare people."

He said increasing numbers of tourists had been playing Crown and Anchor this year, adding: "We give them some down-home Bermuda: shark stew, conch stew, on top of free liquor. We have slogans: 'Up she comes', 'The more you put down, the more you pick up', 'More money for your honey'.

"The tourists believe it's a wonderful thing. It's exciting when they see someone win $500. They are having a bit of fun. We are living as humans. We want excitement. That's good excitement for the day as opposed to watching a horror flick on TV or something.

"The excitement we used to have is what I'm talking about, when we all laughed together. I think it should be allowed across the board. Let adults be adults."

Opponents to gaming, which include church groups and a number of Government MPs, have pointed to potential social problems, but Mr. Simons argued cash from gambling tax could go towards better policing, while policies could be put in place to deal with gambling addicts.

Last month, poker player Richard Gaglio nearly died after being shot in the chest by robbers who targeted the high-stakes game at his house.

"People want to play so bad, they do things like play poker underground, and it has brought a lot of harm onto the good people," observed Mr. Simons.

Last week, Premier Ewart Brown told the BBC World Service that Government would have to start looking at gambling as a way of making money if legislation is brought in to stop reinsurance companies based on the Island from operating in the US.

A $300,000 feasibility on gaming in Bermuda by consultants the Innovation Group was presented to Cabinet this summer. Dr. Brown said yesterday that it is still being considered by Cabinet.