The AME church has hit out at a plan to bring a casino gambling boat to Bermuda.

And its claims lawyer Llewellyn Peniston, who is acting for the owners of the 195-foot , is trying to intimidate Government over the issue.

Casinos are illegal in Bermuda but the boat will be moored 12 miles of Bermuda in international waters.

A statement by the AME churches Social Action Committee said it deplored what it felt was "a brazen attempt by casino vessel backers to get around the law and introduce casino gambling to Bermuda".

Mr. Peniston, who is off the island, said last week there had been no official representation from Government on the plan so he intended to proceed with the boat which is due next month.

The church statement continued: "There was what appeared to be an attempt to intimidate challengers (including the Government) with the threat of legal action if there should be 'an attack on the principals' interest'.

"While free enterprise is a cherished pillar of democracy, pure greed is not good for any society and must be checked."

While Mr. Peniston had said people had been incensed about challenges to their right to gamble, the church said "people ought to be more incensed about a blatant attempt to flout the law and allow another highly addictive activity to run free ? an activity that has shown the have damaging consequences for society."

The church said it viewed the casino ship as an attack on the fragile fabric of society.