A casino within the proposed Jumeirah Southlands five-star resort would be a welcome addition, according to one of the developers.

But without a change in Bermuda?s laws it cannot happen, said Craig Christensen as he revealed more about his own personal involvement in the project and what it will mean for one of the Island?s last areas of undeveloped wilderness. It is for Government to decide if it is time to license gambling on the Island but Southlands Limited co-owner Mr. Christensen would not be adverse to adding a small European-style casino offering entertainment, food and drinks into the already ambitious hotel resort plans.

It would be, he said: ?For the purpose of providing entertainment.

?I don?t look at it as being a huge money-spinner but rather part of an entertainment package.

?If we do it then Government should be the main benefactor of any casino operation, otherwise you are going to end up with too many people against it.

?If we are going to do it for the benefit of a tourism product Government should be the one that would primarily benefit from it.?

Together with fellow businessmen Brian Duperreault and Nelson Hunt, he heads Southlands Limited as the owner of the 37-acre estate in Warwick that has been earmarked for hotel resort development.

Dubai-based luxury hotel group Jumeirah has signed to operate the proposed new hotel for 20 years with an option to extend the deal until the middle of the century. A planning decision on the project, which has applied for a special development order, is currently awaited.

In today?s Monday interview Mr. Christensen, who has become the public face of Southlands Limited, speaks openly about the scheme.

On the likelihood of a casino featuring in the proposed hotel he said that would depend on a change in Bermuda?s strict no-gambling laws.

If there was such as change, he said: ?We would need to have that discussion (with the hotel operator). It is something that we would like to do, obviously. It creates fun and entertainment on the property.

?I consider the London and European casinos where they have entertainment, gaming, food, bar all in the same area, more like what it should be. Atlantic City is a gaming hall which is unattractive. Las Vegas is trying to get there but they built a lot of casinos without the entertainment.?

He added: ?I see a small intimate casino working in Bermuda, not a big one. Probably the Government would look at it and make it only available to our visitors, that would be my guess.?

Read more of Mr. Christensen?s thoughts on the Southlands project inside today?s .