A prominent lawyer has claimed it makes no sense not to allow casinos to be built in some of the Island's major hotel properties in the near future – with Government benefiting from tax earnings.

In a speech to the Sandys Rotary Club, lawyer Llewellyn Peniston said he hopes a more relaxed and liberal approach to gambling will soon happen in Bermuda. As the lawyer in the Niobe Corinthian trial and one of the founders of the floating casino, Mr. Peniston believes the Government should change legislation to allow new hotel developments like Club Med and Jumeirah to have casinos as an additional form of entertainment.

"Going forward, it seems to be entirely unreasonable that those hotels would go forward without introducing that element of entertainment within the establishment.

"Whether it's Club Med, Jumeirah or the Atlantic hotel, not withstanding the existing hotels, it is a feature they have for the longest while to develop within establishments."

He continued: "People have had enough of listening to piped music coming through the hotel lobby. People want a bit more live entertainment. It seems to me this is missing."

He also claims: "The party in Government has had proposals for the establishment of casinos in Bermuda. It would be an added form of interest. I hope Government will be in the forefront to tax those earnings."

Mr. Peniston also mentioned Premier Ewart Brown taking place in an upcoming poker tournament. "You will note from the newspaper that our Premier will shortly be participating in a major poker tournament in New York with Montel Williams and it is hoped this will illustrate perhaps a new, fresh and more liberal approach toward relaxing the current schedule of prohibitions on gambling in Bermuda."

The lawyer has been outspoken about anti-gambling laws in the past and argued Bermudians could hop a flight to Atlantic City or Las Vegas to gamble if they wanted to.

He took the stand during the trial of the Niobe Corinthian and denied being the man behind the operations of the ship. He also claimed plans to operate the ship from Bermuda in international waters had the blessing of the Ministry of Finance and Attorney General.

During his address last week, Mr. Peniston said when the concept of the floating casino was raised, he was recommended as a possible candidate with his shipping experience and legal knowledge.

He has admitted to being a legal adviser and nothing more. The ship's captain, Alfonso Reyes, was fined $15,000 for illegally importing 100 gaming machines into Bermuda. Manager, George Kezas was also found guilty but was not sentenced as both men have launched appeals against their convictions.

Mr. Peniston also claims a national lottery will benefit Bermuda by raising funds to cover the cost for a variety of Government expenses.

"Indeed it was many years ago as a senator in the Swan administration, I had the audacity to advance without prior political clearance, the proposition of establishing a national lottery, expressly for the purposes of raising funds which could have been utilised to fund low cost housing, sports and other social and cultural activities in addition to which direct some of the proceeds toward the financial assistance programme."

Mr. Peniston explained he was instructed be the then leader of the senate to recant the proposition. He says he still believes it would work.