being installed in pubs all over Bermuda.

But it is unclear if the video slot machines -- mostly playing card games Poker and Black Jack -- break any laws.

Detectives launched the probe after a complaint against one major Hamilton pub and a Police spokesman revealed last night an inquiry team had been set up.

Officers have received complaints that the machines are cropping up in pubs in Hamilton, St. George's and Dockyard.

But even the Attorney General was unable to clear up the mystery surrounding the video game laws last night.

Outgoing AG, Elliot Mottley, who leaves Bermuda in June, said he had not consulted the Liquor Licence Act of 1974 to check for any loopholes.

"I cannot make any comment,'' he said. "I do not know if they are illegal.'' The law states that a landlord commits an offence if he allows "any unlawful game'' on his licensed premises.

An unlawful game is defined as "a game of chance or of mixed chance and skill'' for money -- and includes mechanical slot machines.

But certain games are exempt from the rules.

A Police spokesman said: "All I can confirm is that a complaint has been received regarding machines in at least one licensed premises.

"It will be investigated and Police will take the appropriate action.

"Following similar complaints in the past, Police have pointed out the law to proprietors and offending games or machines have been removed.'' Rick Olson, owner of The Beach pub on Front Street, Hamilton, said he was unaware if his pub was being investigated.

But he confirmed he had recently installed the machines, after buying them from suppliers at Bermuda Amusements.

He said the pub took 40 percent in takings from the machines, which accept anything from $1 to $100 in stake money and offers even odds.

"Nobody wants to lose their licence,'' he said. "I asked the Police if they were legal and they said they thought they were.

"I know of several other pubs and clubs which have these machines. As far as I am aware, they are not illegal, but if it is found that they are, they will obviously be removed from The Beach.'' Delmont Talbot, of Bermuda Amusements, told The Royal Gazette the machines were legal, adding: "Other than that, I have absolutely no comment to make.'' But one irate player, who lost a wad of dollars on the games, claimed the machines "had to be rigged at least 60 percent in favour of the machine''.

"I think it's a fix,'' he said. "The odds must be weighted heavily in favour of the machines if the pubs are taking a 40 percent cut.

"Something like that wouldn't even be allowed in Las Vegas. You see things on the machines which just don't happen in normal card games, like the machines getting three black jacks in a row.'' Last November, several pub owners were forced to stop selling gambling cards over the counter or through special machines.

Police warned several landlords to stop the service after taking advice from the Attorney General that the cards were against gambling laws.