February 13, 2002

Dear Sir,

Is it not strange that gambling should have become acceptable in most of the civilised world - though not in Bermuda? But then am I maligning Bermuda? What is bingo if not gambling? Can every politician or cleric put his/her hand on heart and deny encouraging some form of gambling e.g. slot machines and private clubs?

Hypocrisy may be acceptable in politics, but why should it be acceptable in the rest of our community? The fact that it is acceptable at all is a dreadful indictment of our society - particularly when gambling of one kind or another has been part of man's make-up since time immemorial. Why, therefore, should we deny our lifeblood visitors (including business people) the ability to gamble? Why should cruise ship passengers be allowed to gamble on board but not on shore? How much more would our "container port" make if converted into a high class, well run Casino? What about another one at the Holiday Inn? Morgan's Point?

Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing cities in the US, growth based on gambling but gambling that is well controlled and supports a hospitality industry that is "family friendly", reasonably priced and acceptable to most. No longer are the casinos run by mobsters, but if we are to have casinos (a casino) we must ensure that we attract only the best professional and uncorrupt (sic) people to run them/it.

A casino would be an attraction to Europeans and, most importantly, East Coast Americans who provide us with the bulk of our tourist trade. There would certainly be no need for ministerial visits to the likes of Argentina, Italy, and South Africa, who can scarcely be said to have booming economies, strong currencies nor the wherewithal to visit expensive Bermuda.

Some casino advocates seem to believe that locals should be banned. Why? Just because such a ban works in the Bahamas? Surely a daytime jacket and tie and night-time black tie dress code would keep out undesirables, with rowdy or unacceptable behaviour being punished with expulsion and lifetime ban.

Surely Bermudians should be allowed to take part in the Island's future development.

There are experts in the field and we must consult them, but let us stop pussyfooting around and get on with it. Casinos are by far the most likely attraction to help revive our ailing tourist industry - or does the Minister of Tourism have a better idea. If he has, isn't it about time we heard about it in detail?

If we cannot revive our ailing tourism industry, we will soon start to lose more airline flights and with them large chunks of international business. Is that what Government wants? Five years ago few people would have been in favour of a casino, now there are few who are not.

It will take many months, if not years, to build up a separate casino, so for the sake of Bermuda let us legalise gambling and let our hotels, under strict but not corrupt regulation, lead the way. NOW! TOMORROW IS TOO LATE.

ONE ARMED BANDIT

Paget