Bermuda is facing enormous challenges in order to maintain economic stability that will prevent a slide into hard times as experienced during the war years, which saw many families managing to get by on a little cereal, vegetables, and a little meat when they could get it.

It was a time when most people were on diets, simply because they had no choice. Generations today have become used to getting whatever they want on demand, from too many parents who take the view " I am giving them what I did not have".

However in this process, not only do they usually spoil them, but they often leave out values they did have, such as discipline, respect and the ability to create happiness, without an abundance of material gadgets that have flooded our way of life today.

We have practically evolved into a society of having so much, that any thought of going without, seems unthinkable despite the fact that thousands in various parts of the globe go hungry every night, many of them children. In recent decades few people would deny that family life in Bermuda, and other parts of the world, has changed drastically and not necessarily for the better.

While some blame the changes on economic pressures and decaying values, others point to an imbalance between those who have, and those yet to taste a reasonable slice of the economic pie. The result is too many feel left out of the big picture, despite promises by the country's leaders to improve the situation.

Part of the problem here has been rooted in the steady decline of tourism, which has impacted families across the board. Now that the international business sector, which has been picking up the slack big time, is also wobbling with uncertainty, due to a worldwide economic crisis.

In an effort to boost tourism and there is a need for that, Government officials are contemplating the introduction of legalised gambling casinos, as an added attraction for visitors.

The mere mention of legalised gambling ignites concerns in many quarters, that no matter how well organised it might be, Gambling is always viewed as counter productive to building good family values. In fact a little research shows that crime has increased in some gambling jurisdictions due to the amount of money changing hands.

The US and World News magazine conducted a probe to compare crime rates in cities with gambling, against those that do not permit it. According to that report, they found crime rates much higher in places that allowed gambling.

However the industry disputed these claims, on the basis that the tourist population was not taken into consideration in compiling statistics in order to reach such a conclusion.

Atlantic City in the US was also cited as having a rise in crime when gambling was legalised. There is much to be considered by the authorities here before they throw the switch for the green light to open up casinos to enhance attractions for our visitors.

The whole question of gambling in Bermuda has always been a grey area with the official word that gambling is still illegal, although we all know it is carried out openly at some of our major sporting events.

I recall one operator some years ago who almost went berserk, when he spotted a newspaper headline questioning the legality of crown and anchor at our annual Cup Match.

The man stormed into the editor's office and slammed a copy of the paper down, almost breaking the desk, demanding to know who wrote such a report.

This happened when The Royal Gazette and the Mid Ocean News were located on Reid Street, but it shows that even back then, the question of gambling in Bermuda was an issue. An underworld of gambling has existed in Bermuda for quite some years and almost everyone knows it.

Undoubtedly there will be heated exchanges when this subject is fully discussed throughout the public sector, and as the Rev Dr. Wilbur Lowe pointed out recently, while he opposes such a move, a very calm, clear examination of the pros and cons should be the only way to reach a proper consensus on the whole issue of gambling.

The promoters of legal gambling for our visitors probably have the island economy in mind, but so much is at stake since compulsive gambling is attributed to forgery, embezzlement and even fraud not to mention broken families, that one could wonder whether we are gambling with gambling itself.

While no easy answer is in sight, and legalising gambling in Bermuda might generate some extra revenue, no one knows for sure what price tag our social infrastructure will have to pay.

Hopefully full consideration will be given to the whole picture before the country moves in that direction.