Members of the Progressive Labour Party believe gambling could be put to the people by way of referendum.

Twenty-four MPs spoke out against Premier Ewart Brown's Green Paper on gaming in the House of Assembly on Friday.

Dr. Brown had suggested bringing a casino to the Island to help the ailing tourism industry.

Opposition and Government MPs recommended the issue be decided by referendum. Many said Government had more pressing concerns to attend to and gaming could lead to more social ills for the Island, already plagued by gang violence.

Cabinet Minister Glenn Blakeney was one of those that advocated a referendum as a way forward. In the House of Friday he said: "I have nothing at all against responsible gaming but the jury is out," he said. "I think the only option now is to through the support of the people. I think the subject should be brought to referendum."

He proposed caveats similar to those raised by the Premier after MPs overwhelming opposed his Green Paper, be included in gaming legislation.

"As a result, on the moral issue of gaming I would not be opposed to consensus by referendum provided that the following caveats would become mandatory if the majority vote was yes," he said.

Mr. Blakeney recommended:

• a reasonable percentage of Bermudians would be trained and employed in any gaming facility;

• at least 50 percent of all entertainment be Bermudian;

• Bermudians only be allowed to game once a quarter, a maximum of four times a calendar year;

• Bermudians must own at least 25 percent of all gaming interests;

• 12 percent to 15 percent of tax revenue must be earmarked for various Government programmes including, but not limited to, education, sports, the performing arts and national health insurance.

He also recommended that all gaming on the Island should be consolidated into one piece of legislation to regulate the industry. Minister Blakeney added that sometimes the most unpopular thing is the "right and best thing to do". One example of that was Sunday shopping. Initially the church lobbied against it, however now many churchgoers do their weekly grocery shop on Sundays, Mr. Blakeney said.

One PLP backbencher, who did not want to be named, yesterday put his money on the issue being brought to the people.

"The Premier is bullheaded and will return with a White Paper for a referendum," he said.

PLP party organiser for the western parishes Makai Dickerson said: "Dr. Brown is persistent in his work on behalf of the people and I expect that he will do whatever he feels is necessary to ensure that all information is considered and a fair decision is made, be it by referendum or a continued push in the House.

"There are many members of the public who, like myself, support gaming and the views of both sides must be respected. While it is true that there are matters of great importance that require the immediate attention of Cabinet it does not mean that matters relating to one of the two pillars of our economy should be put on the back burner, particularly when that pillar is in need of strengthening."

Another top PLP source who did not want to be named said: "As a supporter of gaming I was disappointed with the short-sightedness of MPs who went against the requests of the business and hotel community. I hope that the Premier calls the UBP's bluff and puts the issue to the people via referenda.

"The people of the Country don't have personal agendas, [something] which has seemingly clouded the thinking of our legislators. Unlike our representatives it is clear to the man on the street that our Government needs more revenue, Bermudians need jobs, and we need new hotel investments. Bermuda needs to move into the 21st century, I think the people of the Country should have their say."

A Government spokesman said: "The Premier will continue to use the customary mechanism of bringing bills to the House. Any bill that does not secure the support of the Caucus will not be brought to the House."