Casinos are a "tie breaker" and can seal the deal for tourists coming to a destination, according to the Bahamian Tourism and Aviation Minister.

And while all tourists don't use the casinos, the atmosphere and glitz of gaming can lure them to one Island instead of another.

Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace spoke yesterday to a group of politicians and press at the Coco Reefs resort.

He explained because gaming is tourists oriented, locals are not allowed to gamble.

"It's become such an integral part of what tourists can do in the Bahamas. In all the discussion and all the debates, there is one feature that is very important for people to understand. In most cases, it has nothing to do with going after dedicated gamblers. It has to do with having a tie breaker.

"I may not want to do it all, but it's necessary to know that it's there. There are individuals who fall in that category. When groups decide where they want to go, there are large numbers who want to be involved in gaming activities.

"The whole idea of going to a destination that has these things is extremely important. There is really no question in our minds that gaming has become a very successful part of tourism in the Bahamas. We have been fortunate in that many people associate us with sophisticated gaming. We like to brag about the fact that more James Bond films have been shot in the Bahamas."

Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace said in surveys done all over the Caribbean, Nassau was listed as the best destination in part due to gaming.

"The whole idea of providing this experience is something that we see as very important. We also learnt some lessons. No matter how powerful the gaming is, it cannot compete with mother nature. People are coming to enjoy the sun, the sand and the sea during the day."

The Minister said when the Atlantis hotel was built, the prices of rooms at other hotels went up due to what he called a "destination effect".

"It's part of the whole experience that people get being in the resort. It gets to the stage where it's very important that we all agree that some of the concerns that people used to have with gaming and some of the negative aspects have largely been rubbed out."

The Bahamas has garnered $700 million in revenue from gaming since the 1970s, Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace said.

He said the casinos act like financial institutions and definitely benefit the Government financially.

Asked about why locals aren't able to gamble, Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace said: "The Bahamas has always been a jurisdiction where Bahamians are not permitted to gamble. There is a conversation every day and every year about changing that. Frankly, it's a very tourism oriented activity at the moment. My responsibility is the tourism side. I will continue to use it for the tourism aspects. The talks will be on going."

He said in the Island's Gaming Act, there is a long list of people who are not allowed to gamble which include those under 18, locals, expats, Government workers, etc.

Asked if Bahamas were to introduce gaming today, would locals be prohibited, Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace said no.

Asked whether or not Bermuda should have gaming due to its smaller size and decreased tourism numbers, he said: "If you were to ask my colleagues, the would say absolutely no. They would think it's the worst thing Bermuda ever did.

"About two years ago I'm on the way to Bermuda on a flight. I was sitting next to a man and I wanted to know why he was coming to Bermuda. He said 'I'm coming for a wedding from New York'. I asked why have you never been before. He said 'it's not my kind of place. I have been to the Bahamas'.

"You know the answer. It's the tie breaker. It has nothing to do with anything else."

Meanwhile, Sir John Swan issued a statement in response to rumours that his new building will have space for a casino.

"Mischief, rumours and lies are designed to be destructive. Ignorance is just being uninformed. To remove mischief, rumours, lies and ignorance, we wish to inform the public that 141 Front Street, also known as Seon Place, will not be a casino. 141 Front Street is designed and built as a high quality office building with a gym and bistro. It is already committed to tenants who accept that the building is for office purposes only. No casino!"