Bermudians and visitors are flocking to a "mini-casino'' located in a private home in Smith's Parish, The Royal Gazette has learned.

The Collectors Hill house, described as a private members' club, is fully equipped with gaming machines, poker tables and authentic one-armed bandits.

The business, which operates under the name of Seamont Exclusive, is billed as a private membership club and is operated by businessman Neil Inchcup.

Although there is legislation in place governing the use of gaming machines in the Island's bars and restaurants, questions have been raised over the legalities of an gambling operation in a private home.

But Mr. Inchcup stressed yesterday: "It is a private club and I have gone through all the proper channels.'' He then directed further inquiries to his lawyers, MP Trevor Moniz and Richard Hector.

Mr. Moniz said: "To be honest, I really don't know what the business is about. All I handle for Mr. Inchcup is his charter fishing business.'' Mr. Hector could not be specific about Mr. Inchcup's operation either, but said that if it was being conducted in a private club, it fell within the law.

He said: "I don't know what he is operating at his house. If he does have machines in his house, I'm sure that he is operating within the confines of the law.

"A private club is a private club,'' he continued. "If you have a private club, and are not selling stuff, then you are operating within the law.'' Mr. Hector added: "There is no sale of liquor on the premises, no sale of anything.'' Mr. Hector, the president of the Bermuda Bar Council, said the laws governing gaming machines were ambiguous. He called for "vague'' gambling legislation to be revamped.

Last December, the Prohibition of the Importation of Gaming Equipment Act was passed, essentially banning all new machines and their spare parts, but allowing the operation of existing machines until they ran their course.

"This is something that can be put into order quite quickly by this Government, but it's all political,'' Mr. Hector said.

"I think it is time that the authorities in this Country send a clear signal as to what they consider to be lawful and unlawful about gambling in this Country.

Inside Bermuda's gambling den -- Page 2 Question over legality of `casino' "The position taken is unsatisfactory and unclear and people are literally operating in the dark.'' Meanwhile, Shadow Minister for the Environment Gary Pitman, who was a staunch supporter of banning gaming machines during the debate of the Act, said he was aware of Seamont Exclusive.

"I learned about it through constituents in that area,'' he said. "I did mention it in the House during the Budget debates.'' He continued: "I'm not sure it is legal to operate in a private home as opposed to a drinking establishment. The grandfathered machines are legal under the law, but as far as the poker tables and slot machines, that is definitely outside of the law.'' Mr. Pitman added: "I was shocked to know that it was going on, but I am not surprised because I knew that the grandfathered machine laws were going to give us problems.'' Police Media were unable to comment on the issue.