Following three years of controversy over whether it flouts Bermuda's strict gambling laws, casino ship Niobe Corinthian finally set sail from the Island for the first time last night.

Passengers boarding the boat at St. David's told The Royal Gazette that although church groups and former Premier Alex Scott had vigorously opposed the venture, they couldn't see what all the fuss was about and were looking forward to a chance for a rare flutter.

Gary Simons, from Pembroke, said: "It's something different to do. People just get bored. You can only drive so far in Bermuda. At least with this boat you can have a little show time, a little gambling and good fun."

His friend J. J. Madeiros, from Pembroke, said: "I don't think I'm going to win. I'm going to share my wealth with somebody else.

"It's our good-earned money and we deserve the boat. Mister Ewart Brown, put on your crown and I will put my ten dollars on the crown. We need entertainment here."

Plans for the casino ship were first revealed in 2004, but have been put on hold since then after the owners met a succession of stumbling blocks.

Shortly after its arrival into Bermuda last summer, Niobe was raided by Police and Customs officers and its captain and manager were accused of illegally importing 100 gaming machines into the Island.

A painfully long-winded court case ensued, before Panamanian Captain Fermin Alfonso Reyes and manager George Kezas, from St. George's, were both eventually convicted by Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo in July.

Reyes was fined $15,000, while Kezas' sentence was delayed because the pair launched appeals against their convictions.

Even after the owners found legal loopholes which meant they could operate outside Bermuda's territorial waters, Niobe's bad luck continued when it caught fire before poor weather forced the postponement of its intended inaugural voyage in September.

Last night, manager Neil Inchcop said: "It's been a long struggle."

Lawyer Llewellyn Peniston, who acts for the owners and has called for gambling to be legalised, said: "People in any democracy must have choice. There's nothing to stop them getting on a plane to Las Vegas or Atlanta City.

"I have spoken to the clients and I wish them well."

Mr. Peniston said taxing profits from gambling could be an invaluable source of income for Government.

In 2004, the Social Action Committee of the AME Church said it deplored what it described as "a brazen attempt by casino vessel backers to get around the law and introduce casino gambling to Bermuda".

Explaining his opposition, Mr. Scott recently said: "There will be those who will use their rent money, they will use their children's tuition money, they will use many different cash reserves to just take a chance and the Government ends up with the social problems."

Pro-gambling groups argue Bermuda's laws are inconsistent as Bingo and Crown and Anchor at Cup Match are allowed.