Premier Ewart Brown faces a race against time if he wants to relax gaming laws before his departure in 11 months, after the Throne Speech revealed a discussion paper will be tabled on the subject.

MPs will consider a green paper on 'Gaming for Bermuda', with extensive research on the subject made available to the public, according to the speech read by Governor Sir Richard Gozney yesterday.

A green paper is a method of stimulating discussion and merely the first step towards changing the law; it points out possible courses of action in terms of policy and legislation.

Campaigners both for and against allowing gaming said it would be possible to complete the whole process and get the law changed within a year — but that would mean prioritising the issue over other matters affecting the Island in troubled economic and social times.

So providing Dr. Brown sticks to his pledge to quit in October 2010, he could be left hoping that his successor matches his drive to allow initiatives such as casinos.

Lawyer Llewellyn Peniston, who acted on behalf of the controversial gaming ship Niobe Corinthian, has repeatedly called for gambling to be legalised, with Government taking a share of the profits to deal with any resulting social problems.

Yesterday, he was critical of MPs who have opposed gaming, and he said of the concept of a green paper: "It's nothing but an exercise to try and test the waters to see whether that crowd on the hill would be minded to follow through with a white paper.

"The one thing politicians have in common: they seem to be slow to make bold decisions. They are elected on the basis of making bold leadership decisions. That doesn't seem to be an attribute that they have. They seem to be, for want of a better description, political cowards."

Mr. Peniston said the green paper phase could take a couple of months, depending on the emphasis Government puts on it.

"I would say given certain personal interest in this matter, it may well be pushed ahead of other much needed social issues," he said.

"I don't see how he can get all that through when there are other pressing matters in this Country that need to be attended to, particularly in the current climate. Gambling is not going to be the answer absolutely to what we need."

He explained Government needed to concentrate on making international business feel comfortable and take a broader and fresher approach to tourism.

Former Premier Alex Scott, who opposes introducing gaming, said he stands by his previous comments that Bermuda should not waste time on the issue when he believes it's clear the people don't want it.

He pointed to The Royal Gazette's recent poll which showed just 34 percent of people were in favour of relaxing gaming legislation, with 47 percent against.

Regarding the green paper, Mr. Scott said yesterday: "It could come sooner rather than later if the Premier puts a significant priority on it."

He said green papers run their course between six months to a year, depending on how important they are to society, and how much time people are given to digest the information involved.

That could leave mean the matter is still not completed by October 2010, with Mr. Scott warning: "He may be succeeded by someone who is less than keen on gaming."