The Premier appeared to back away from bringing a July vote on casinos in Bermuda after a crushing blow in the House of Assembly yesterday when 14 of his Government MPs said they opposed it.

During the lengthy debate, which ended this morning, 24 MPs spoke out against the Green Paper on Gaming, including the Deputy Premier and six members of Cabinet.

Only five MPs came out in support of Premier Ewart Brown's Green Paper, two of whom are members of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance.

Many questioned why such a discussion was taking place when Bermuda was in the midst of escalating gang violence, stating the House had more pressing matters to attend to.

At the end of the lengthy debate the Premier said: "Some of the speakers voiced their lack of support for gaming in Bermuda right now, which leads me to believe that at some point in the future, the idea of gaming might again come up in the House. I would encourage that.

"As the Premier, I must listen to everyone and take all that is said into consideration. As the Tourism Minister, I must propose what I believe is in the best interests of Bermuda tourism."

He added: "Now, if this or a future Parliament of Bermuda looks at gaming in the future, I would like to propose that we try not to be limited by what we believe cannot be done. Let us, in the future, try to open our minds and look at what can be done."

It is the second time an attempt by the Premier to expand gambling on the Island has been shut down. Last year, he tried to pass legislation allowing cruise ship casinos open in port. It failed to make it to a vote after Government MPs showed little support.

Dr. Brown had spearheaded the Green Paper, saying it was part of a slew of changes the Island needed to make to revitalise the tourism industry. Prior to the debate many hoteliers agreed that a casino on the Island would be a big boost and help entice travellers to Bermuda. However, church groups lobbied against it saying it could lead to corruption and a further degradation of social values.

Finance Minister Cox said she was against gaming "at this time".

"At this stage, where Bermuda stands right now, I do not see gaming as the right thing for Bermuda," she said. "What is important to note, Mr. Speaker, is we are at a tipping point in Bermuda right now and we must be careful where we stand."

But she added: "Just because I have said that I do not agree with it 'at this time' does not mean that I am completely opposed to it," she said. "I am not one who favours a stand-alone casino if there comes to be gambling in Bermuda. In my opinion, we should not run before we can walk."

Former Premier Alex Scott, who has long spoke out on the social ills of gambling, said he was heartened to see so many of his fellow MPs speak out too.

And he added that now seemed an odd time to bring the issue up.

"Our young people are killing each other, that is what this House should be engaged in," Mr. Scott said the Green Paper "fell short" of a discussion piece because it relied heavily on a consultant's report.

"That report slavishly served the person who paid the consultants," he said. "It fell short, it did a disservice and it could have done injury but I think that injury is not being done. Here today I was proud of what I heard. Each person that stood up today and spoke up is doing a wonderful job."

He added: "I say whoever came up with this idea [of the debate] 'go stand in the corner. This is not in the interest of the country I love and the country I served."

And after midnight when many had shown their hand and spoke out against the Green Paper, Government MP Dennis Lister implored the Premier to listen to his party.

"Only five MPs have spoken in favour," he said. "This is clearly not the issue we should have been speaking to right now.

"It is clear where the community is, we are facing young men killing each other.

"If we solve people killing each other in the next eight weeks then bring it back.

"I don't expect this to have life after today in this House. With the lack of support that was shown today I do not expect a White Paper. I don't see how we can table it. There are more important issues.

"We have spoken all day on this when there are others issues this country is facing that we should have spoken to during this time.

"I am asking my leader to clearly listen to what has been delivered today and answer it as he has been asked to do."

Cabinet Ministers El James and Walter Roban spoke out against gaming, as did Government Chief Whip Lovitta Foggo..

MPs were not required to vote on the Green Paper. A vote on the issue would come if Government chooses to push ahead with a white paper; something Dr. Brown had initially planned to do in July. However, last night several MPs questioned if that would happen and Government sources said it was unlikely after the debate.