Gamblers yesterday lined up to blast plans to outlaw hi-tech gambling machines.

One man, who called himself Leonard, branded Government's proposals as "ridiculous''.

He added: "They should decide exactly what they're going to do. If they're allowing games like bingo to go on then they should allow this to go on.'' And Leonard said he thought the owners of the machines should be taxed as well. But he was firmly against banning the machines.

He said: "If the Government does ban them they will definitely not get re-elected next election.'' Another man, who asked not to be named, agreed.

He said: "I think they should make up their minds. They shouldn't be able to have things like Crown and Anchor and other types of gambling if they're going to get rid of the machines.'' He added that the machines had a potential to bring a lot of money into Bermuda if they were handled properly.

One woman was steadfast in her disapproval of the proposals.

She said: "They can p*** off. Why is it that whenever anything good comes into this Island all the do-gooders have to come along and get rid of it?'' And her view was that she had "a right to spend her money in any way I want to.'' Another gambler had mixed views, and said that he felt Government's proposals were "good and bad''.

He added: "A lot of people get hooked on these machines. People can come down here and gamble away the family savings.

The man said he thought more machines "could create a lot of problems'' if brought to the Island.

He said: "I think if there is to be gambling in Bermuda it needs to be controlled.

"A lot of these machines don't operate as they should; they cheat the people who use them.'' But one gambler said he would leave the future of the machines up to Lady Luck.

He added that he "couldn't care less'' what Government did.

And he said: "If they keep them that's fine. If they ban them I don't care.''