at a Bermuda Society dinner in London was yesterday backed by the Opposition.

Progressive Labour Party tourism spokesman David Allen said: "I am on record as saying, as is the PLP, that I am against the introduction of gambling casinos to Bermuda.'' Dr. Saul, keynote speaker at a Bermuda Society dinner last week, said that gambling was "a quick fix'' and that nude beaches were also out.

He said that was not the kind of tourism Bermuda wanted and that the Island attracted a different kind of visitor.

Mr. Allen explained Bermuda's main marketing asset was that it was only two hours away from the major US east coast cities -- but another world.

He said: "A number of American cities -- not just Las Vegas and Atlantic City -- as well as Indian reservations and riverboats have gambling.

"As long as Bermuda strives to be a unique destination, that will be our major asset.'' Mr. Allen explained that casinos and gambling might not be such a good bet in any case.

He said: "Antigua brought it in and it hasn't really turned out to be a windfall there.'' And Mr. Allen added there were better things to stake Bermuda's future on -- like diving, para-sailing, sea-fishing, and cultural and educational tourism.

Mr. Allen said: "None of these things have been marketed as well as they should.

"And we could use Parks and Agriculture Department facilities, which the taxpayer is already paying for, to run courses.'' Mr. Allen -- who runs tourism magazine Bermuda Dateline -- said a survey carried out by the magazine two years ago among 100 travel agents in the US on whether casinos should be allowed in Bermuda provided a no vote of more than 70 percent.

But Dr. Saul's remarks were criticised by some. Hamilton retailer John Casling, a member of the tourism pressure group Coalition for Change, said his views were "a joke.'' Chamber of Commerce president David Rowntree said that casinos may be part of the answer to Bermuda's faltering visitor industry -- although not the whole one.

He added that turning down gaming in hotels so definitely might be premature.