prospects, community leaders declared yesterday.

Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V (Jim) Woolridge scorned the suggestion it would reap a tourism windfall.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan said gambling was not on Government's agenda.

And PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade dismissed it as a "panacea'' and "morally depraved.'' Church leaders too joined in the condemnation, fearing a casino would attract "undesirables.'' The outcry followed Opposition MP Julian Hall's flotation of the idea on Wednesday.

He told Hamilton Lions Club some modern tourists could be justified in viewing Bermuda as a bore.

Casino gambling -- restricted only to tourists -- should be at least considered, he added.

Mr. Hall, the Shadow Environment Minister, stressed he was speaking personally.

It was regrettable neither the United Bermuda Party nor the PLP would examine the idea, he said.

Yesterday, however, Mr. Woolridge said he did not believe a casino was appropriate for Bermuda.

"We could attract the wrong type of people. I don't believe in any knee-jerk reaction,'' he said.

Mr. Woolridge claimed gambling in the Bahamas had not cured its tourism problem.

"The fact they have a casino has not given them a windfall of additional people.'' Mr. Woolridge also raised moral objections, describing Bermuda as a "deeply religious'' country.

"I think some years ago there was talk of a lottery, and the churches in my constituency of Smith's South made it quite clear they were against it.

"I believe Bermuda is against encouraging people to spend what money they have in the hope of getting rich quick.'' Mr. Woolridge conceded Bermuda could have a lacklustre image to some. But he said a better way forward was reintroducing local entertainment at hotels.

"People come to the Island to sample the local atmosphere and flavour.'' In a more low key response, the Premier said gambling was not under consideration by Government, and had never been an issue.

"It is not something we have on our agenda,'' he stated.

Mr. Wade emphasised Mr. Hall was voicing his own opinion, and insisted the PLP had no interest in introducing gambling.

He completely disassociated his party from a "panacea'' which would fail to resolve the Island's tourism problems.

"Our problems are deep seated,'' he said.

Mr. Wade said he had not been impressed with the outcome of gambling in the Bahamas.

He added he also considered gambling "morally depraved'', which the Island could well do without.

The Rev. Conway Simmons, presiding elder of the AME churches of Bermuda, was equally forthright.

"We are against gambling because we do not see it as being beneficial to the people from an ethical and moral standpoint.'' The Rev. Simmons said any idea which could encourage people into believing they could make easy and quick money was unhelpful.

He added a casino could also draw "undesirables and criminal elements'' into the picture.

Mr. David Dodwell, president of the Bermuda Hotel Association, was reluctant to talk on the "touchy'' subject.