Former Premier Sir John Swan and Government backbencher Wayne Perinchief are among those in support of a casino on the Island.

The politicians, from opposing sides of the Bermuda political spectrum, both backed a relaxation of the Island's anti-gambling legislation at a public forum on Wednesday night.

Up to 40 people attended the meeting at the Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters in Hamilton, where The Innovation Group spoke on a feasibility study into gaming,

Since the study was announced by Government last October, it has received support from hoteliers but been criticised by church groups, opposing gambling on moral and religious grounds.

Wednesday night's meeting was the second of three, after which The Innovation Group will present a draft report to the Bermuda gaming task force who will then make recommendations to Cabinet.

Sir John said that as the tourism industry has deteriorated since the 1980s, so the drug trade has increased so it was more important than ever to find jobs for young Bermudians.

"The other thing is, Hamilton is dying," he said. "We can sit here and say 'what about hotels?' but we need more than that, we need entertainment."

"If you are a tourist and the wife doesn't gamble, what does she do? We need shops, a lot of things, but the most important thing is Bermuda is prepared to make a change like we did in the 1980s."

He said back then the impetus given to international business had helped shore up the economy as tourist numbers dwindled. Now however, even international companies were facing uncertain times with the global economic climate.

Sir John added it was ironic that instead of gambling here, Bermudians were sending their dollars overseas.

"We are exporting our dollars and not supporting our own industry, which needs help," he said. "We go somewhere else and give people money but sit on this high moral ground. In a sense we are kidding ourselves.

"We need to have something that is going to bring tourists to Bermuda as we see international business go into its new form.

"If we don't, we won't have the foreign exchange we enjoy so much and are used to spending around the world."

Sir John said: "I warn you now, time is against us.

"I think we should support a casino. We should ask this group to report back as soon as possible in a favourable manner."

Government MP Wayne Perinchief said he wanted to see gaming machines back in bars and restaurants, but taxed and under a regulatory authority such as the Corporation of Hamilton, St. George's, or Wedco.

He added: "Hotels should also be allowed to have their own casinos.

"Tourists ask me 'What happened to Hamilton? It's empty'. I agree. The shops are being sucked out and the bars are closing. Tourists need entertainment."

Mr. Perinchief said: "It's not a moral issue, it's an economic issue. This country is dying from lack of revenue."

Another member of the public in attendance, R. Scott Pearman, said Bermuda should follow the lead of the North American Pequot Indians in redistributing gambling profits among the community.

"I want to put forward a proposal tonight for having a similar structure for Bermuda that the actual casino itself will be 100 percent Bermudian-owned by the Government but 50 percent of the shares will be of benefit to every Bermudian qualified on the Voters' Register," he said.

Mr. Pearman, of Pembroke, said if the casino made a profit of $100 million one year, that would mean "$1,200 could be paid back directly to each and every person in the community".

"If we are all shareholders and receiving direct dividends just by being a resident, then I guarantee you, people will push Bermuda tourism hard.

"It will vest us into the industry and we will be able to reap some direct reward. And those who have an issue with gaming could donate it to a charity of their choice," he said.

The public are invited to express their opinion on casinos, gaming clubs, Internet gaming, national lotteries, social issues and responsibilities connected to gambling on www.blogbermudagaming.com