Legislation paving the way for a national referendum on gaming was tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday.However, no date for the referendum was set, and the Opposition noted that time is running short if it is to be held at the same time as the General Election.The first step along the path to Bermuda being able to hold national referendums came with the Referendum Bill 2012, passed by the House of Assembly in June.At that time, Premier Paula Cox noted that “democracy is not a spectator sport” and the legislation “provides the framework for putting power in the hands of the people”.However, separate legislation needs to be passed for each referendum to be held, setting out what the question will be.For that reason, Ms Cox tabled the Gaming Referendum Bill 2013.It requires that a national poll be held on the question: “Should there be licensed casino gaming in Bermuda?”Ms Cox did not give any details in relation to the new bill, which would, in the normal course of events, come back before the House of Assembly at a later date.Shadow Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell said in August that he believed Government was considering holding the referendum simultaneously with the General Election.Mr Crockwell said he’d been told the Premier could hold both votes at the same time to entice Progressive Labour Party supporters to the polls.However, he noted yesterday that Ms Cox has indicated a General Election will be held before the end of the year meaning there would be a very narrow window of opportunity to get the bill through the House of Assembly and Senate before calling it.