weekend -- and were surprisingly split down the middle.

In a Royal Gazette survey, just over 50 percent said setting up a casino would be gambling with the Island's future.

And they raised the stakes by floating their own idea to entice more tourists: a theme park.

"A mini Disney world would be a wonderful attraction,'' enthused Miss Denika Burrows, 17, of St. George's.

Other ideas to put a fresh gloss on the country's image included introducing roller skating, or ice skating.

Many people, however, wagered it was worth taking a chance with a casino.

They argued gambling was a potential money-spinner for Government's badly drained coffers.

It would provide just the right sprinkling of Las Vegas glitter to pep up the Island's appeal, they said.

Our straw poll in Hamilton was conducted among a cross-section of Bermudian society, including tourists and ex-patriate workers.

A curious geographical quirk soon emerged.

Those interviewed in Reid Street, Front Street, and Par-La-Ville Road, generally raised their arms in horror at the prospect of gambling.

But those in the "back of town'' -- Court Street, Union Street, and Dundonald Street -- found the idea alluring, or at least worth a shot.

It was also mainly the young male who revealed the gambling instinct.

The Royal Gazette took to the streets after a speech by Opposition MP Julian Hall at Hamilton Lions Club.

He suggested gambling could be the right prescription for fun-starved tourists.

The idea was swiftly shot down by PLP chief Mr. Frederick Wade, Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, and church leaders.

Joining their anti-gambling camp was 19-year-old Anthony Bascome and his sister Denika Burrows.

"Bermuda is boring. What's there to do for tourists' children? Nothing.

Gambling, however, is not the answer. A theme park would be much better,'' said Anthony.

Denika, who has a 16-month-old child, Joe, said most recession-hit families spent out on rent, food, and just surviving.

"If people wasted money on gambling, families would suffer.'' Thirty-year-old Mr. Tom Leishman, from Montreal, who works in the treasury department at American International, was similarly hostile.

"I find Vegas a very sleazy city. Bermuda shouldn't go the same route.'' Miss Dawn Gilbert, 29, of Sandys, a committed Christian, voiced religious objections.

"The Bible says we should not gamble,'' she said.

The XL Insurance Company employee suggested beach entertainment, such as music and games, could liven up the lot of tourists.

American holidaymakers Mr. Troy Danley, 29, and wife, Veronica, said as Seventh-Day Adventists, they had an obvious aversion to gambling.

"It's our first time here, and we love it. We've found lots to do,'' exclaimed Troy.

Wages clerk Mrs. Florence Dearing, 64, of Pembroke, who was raising funds for the SPCA, also expressed religious opposition.

"I am a Methodist, and that makes me against gambling,'' the mother-of-three stated simply.

Seventeen-year-old Suzana Furtado, of Sandys, felt a casino could attract "scandal'' and unsavoury characters.

"A theme park would be a good idea,'' she suggested.

The park idea won whole-hearted support from pensioner Mrs. Edith Robinson, of Warwick.

"I don't like gambling at all. I think the problem with Bermuda is the prices. They are disgracefully high.'' Pembroke mother Mrs. Gena Smith, a Seventh-Day Adventist, said she feared the Island with a casino would become a mini-New York.

It would not be the country in which to bring up her three-year-old son, Tarik.

"Bermuda is a place you come to get away from the hustle, bustle, and all that crazy stuff.'' Eighteen-year-old Nicole Smith, of Southampton, who is on a general studies course at Bermuda College, said gambling would ruin the special quality of Bermuda.

"We have an image of being a tropical paradise. People come here to enjoy nature, not to see a little Vegas.'' Not all our visitors, however, went along totally with the happiness prescription.

"It's a bit boring here -- I'm just killing time, buying T-shirts,'' said Boston optician Mr. Denis Webster, 40.

"It's a beautiful country, for sure, with beaches and so on. But it does lack that buzz of excitement.

"I've been to the Bahamas where they have a casino, and I think it adds something. Ice-skating is maybe an idea, and certainly roller-skating.'' Mr. Tony Readwin, 30, of Paget, who hails from Britain and works at the Bank of Bermuda, said the Island should not sniff at gambling.

"It would be an added attraction. I think Bermuda needs everything it can get at present to boost tourism.'' Father-of-two Mr. Ronald Frith, 60, of Smith's, suggested Darrell's Island for a casino site.

"It would be a gamble, but a calculated gamble worth taking I believe to brighten the place up,'' said the Bank of Bermuda security officer.

Ms Heather Mitchell, 40, of Devonshire, was the only woman not to frown at gambling.

"It may be a good idea to bring it in the winter months to liven things up.

But it should be just for tourists.'' Taxi driver Mr. Carlton Burrows, 43, of Hamilton, favoured building a casino on one of the islands.

"It should be open to everyone,'' he said.

Thirty-eight-year-old mason Mr. Kay Matthew, of Warwick, said a casino could offer hard-up people the chance of "pulling out of a hole.'' "It would also be a good way of bringing in extra revenue. Daniels Head could be a site when the Canadian forces move out.'' Mr. Lee Edmead, of Smith's, said private enterprise should be encouraged to build a casino open to all.

Twenty-two-year-old Mr. Esan Frederick, of Devonshire, who is on a hotel and restaurant management course at Bermuda College, believed a casino could help stem the decline in tourists.

"I am very concerned by our economy. Last year the Island lost a lot of income.

"The night-life here is a bit stale. I am for a casino for tourists only.'' Mr. Kelvin Grimes, 21, of Devonshire, said he enjoyed playing Crown and Anchor on Cup Match Day, and saw no objection to gambling.

"I would certainly go to a casino,'' he said.

Our last interviewee Mr. Alex Newbury, 20, a trainee chef from Southampton, agreed.

"I support a casino. I think it would be a good way of circulating more money in Bermuda.'' In Bermuda, it seems, the casino option is an even money bet for ringing in the good times again.

But will our leaders take the gamble? Mr. and Mrs. Troy Danley Mr. Anthony Bascome Mr. Tony Readwin Mr. Denis Webster Ms. Heather Mitchell.