Culture Minister Dale Butler is putting the onus on the public to bring the issue of casinos and gambling back to the fore – starting with his own constituency.

The Warwick North East MP will hold a public forum at the end of this month, with the controversial question of casinos in Bermuda headlining the event.

Mr. Butler has asked hospitality industry stalwart Tony Brannon, a long-time advocate of gambling in Bermuda, to preside over the discussion on casinos.

He also hopes his constituents will turn out in their droves to add their voices to the gambling debate, acting as a litmus test for the rest of the island's interest in the subject.

"The onus is on them to let their MP know how they feel," Mr. Butler told the Mid-Ocean News. "People often say, 'You went to Parliament without consulting us.' Well, now it is their turn to have their say."

He hopes those with strong opinions for or against the introduction of gambling and casinos in Bermuda will contribute to the forum, adding that there is ample opportunity for locals to research the divisive issue.

"There is so much information available both for and against casinos," Mr. Butler, who is also Minister of Social Rehabilitation, said. "It is all on the Internet, so there is no excuse; people can do their research and make themselves heard."

A recent survey indicated that more than half of visitors to Bermuda would find casinos an unappealing addition to our tourism offerings. The Department of Tourism polled 721 visitors from July to September 2008, finding that 65 per cent would not visit a casino if one were to be built on the island.

The survey findings were released a month after Premier and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown announced a $300,000 'feasibility study' on gambling in Bermuda, launched following the lobbying efforts of some of the island's prominent industry experts, including Fairmont Southampton general manager Norman Mastalir.

At the time, Mr. Mastalir maintained that those visitors with no interest in gambling would not be adversely affected by the introduction of casinos in Bermuda.

"If gaming is handled in a professional and discreet manner there should be no reason why those who do not want to participate should be affected one way or another," he told The Royal Gazette after the survey findings were made public. He added that the survey's sample size was relatively small.

Alongside a constituency-wide referendum on gambling, Mr. Butler's meeting will serve as a forum to discuss the crime epidemic plaguing Bermuda, and to gauge the public's opinion on Independence.

"It'll be interesting to see of people come out," he said. "If there's a poor attendance, that'll say something."

Dale Butler's public forum on gambling, crime and Independence in constituency 25, Warwick North East, will take place at 8 p.m. on January 28 at St. Mary's Church Hall.