The Royal Gazette's exclusive report today on the fact that many visitors do not want casino gambling – and could even find it a deterrent to coming to the Island – is important information that should be included in any review on the subject.

The findings, from the Department of Tourism's own visitor exit surveys, showed that almost half of Bermuda's current visitors said they would definitely not go to a casino if one was available while just 11 percent said they would definitely go.

With 60 percent of visitors saying casino gambling would make the Island less appealing, these are numbers that the Ministry of Tourism must consider in reviewing the whole question.

That's not to say that casino gambling should be ruled out entirely. But these views must go into the debate.

At the same time, the survey gives some reason for optimism, with or without gambling. Fully 70 percent of those polled said they would definitely be coming back to Bermuda.

And of those visitors who had been to another island destination, 85 percent said they preferred Bermuda. Those are numbers that Bermuda works with as it rebuilds its tourism product. All is not lost.