Premier Jennifer Smith also tabled a new law which prohibits the importation of hi-tech gaming machines, parts and accessories and of lottery tickets.

The bill said: "The machines to which this bill applies are machines that are constructed or adapted for playing a game of chance by means of the machine and which have a slot or other aperture for the insertion of money or money's worth in the form of cash or tokens.

"The Premier may by order.. .extend the application of the bill to other machines.

"The bill also amends the Lotteries Act 1944 to prohibit the importation of lottery tickets where the lottery in respect of which the tickets imported is not a lawful ticket.'' Confusion over the legality of the gambling machines has reigned since large numbers started appearing in pubs and clubs in the last few years.

The Premier announced earlier this year -- after meeting with owners and operators of the machines -- that existing ones could remain until they broke down and had to be junked.