Although use of the Island's 300 plus gaming machines will be outlawed in three weeks, local bar owners appear confident Government will carefully consider the issue before strictly enforcing the July 1 ban.

Several bar owners with machines at their establishments told The Royal Gazette yesterday they were confident Government would hold open discussion on the issue before slot machines become illegal.

Premier Alex Scott said yesterday that gaming machines could remain on bar and nightclub premises when the law comes into effect on July 1 as long as they were not being used.

"If the machines are leased to them it is their property," said Mr. Scott. "Government will not be taking possession of the machines unless there is a report that someone is using them."

Rick Olson, owner of The Beach bar on Front St. said yesterday he would not be over-reacting to the ban and at the moment he was "taking it day by day".

"At the moment Government will really have to expedite things to get the bill passed," said Mr. Olson.

In April, Progressive Labour Party spokesman Scott Simmons said Government was preparing for a wide-spread national debate on gambling when slot machines were banned in July. Reid Young, owner and general manager of Docksiders Bar, said yesterday he had not decided what to do with the four machines located in the back room of the pub. Three of the four are owned by an outside company and Docksiders owns only one of the gaming machines.

Mr. Young said the business had never been completely reliant on the machines. However, he said the proceeds could make a "bad month of business average".

"We haven't made any real plans yet," he said.

Although they won't be sitting in the store-room or going to the dump, Mr. Young said he "will be hanging on and waiting to see what happens" as there is a mood among bar owners that there could be a reversal of the ban in the near future due to the open discussion on gambling over the last few months.

Owner of The Palace on Reid Street, John Kiernan, said yesterday that he does not own any of the machines at his establishment. He would not comment on his plans for the machines or reveal the name of the company who owns them, but stated; "a lot of people will be unemployed."

In the House of Assembly on Friday a bill was tabled outlawing the machines and imposing stiff fines for anyone who attempts to flout the law.

The Prohibition of Gaming Machines Amendment Act 2004 increases the fines and imposes terms of imprisonment for persons convicted of committing gambling related offences.Offences range from owning a gaming machine, to having one on a licensed premises, and to selling and supplying gaming machines.The offences are punishable by fine or imprisonment. Breaking the law can cost you a fine of $250,000, a term of imprisonment, or both.