A cut-off date for the last hand for hi-tech video gambling is on the cards, Premier Jennifer Smith said yesterday.

And -- for the first time -- she confirmed further legislation would be introduced following the passage of a law in the House of Assembly yesterday banning importation of new machines and spare parts to set a closing date for the blackjack and poker games.

She added: "The machines will not be able to run until an unknown date because each of them has a specific number on them which indicates their respective lifespans.

"After taking this first step to stop gaming machines being imported, there will then be a second Act to deal with the machines that are already here. But that will only come after we've had time to sit down and consult with all of the people this might affect.'' At the start of the debate, however, Ms Smith said Government felt the best route was to "ban importation and phase out existing machines''.

She added: "While this two-pronged approach might not have found universal favour, it was designed to ensure that no further machines would come into the Country while, at the same time, putting the owners and operators on notice that, as their machines became redundant, they would not be allowed to replace them.'' Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon admitted the news left her "completely confused'' and she said the Premier had failed to mention key points in her opening of the debate.

And she warned the bid to kill off hi-tech gambling was the worst of both worlds.

Ms Gordon said allowing the machines to continue without proper protection for consumers from rigged machines was wrong.

She claimed it was creating a two-tier system of "haves and have-nots'' by permitting businesses with machines to continue raking in profits, but handcuffing anyone else who wanted to get into the lucrative business.

Ms Gordon added: "It attempts to satisfy both sides -- it's legalising gambling for an unspecified period and attempting to ban gambling for these people who don't have these machines.

"Those who are already in the business have seen the Government legalise gambling and for those who are not in the business, but have aspirations, have seen Government block that aspiration.

"Government has either inadvertently or deliberately created two classes of people -- the haves and have-nots.'' She said unscrupulous owners could rig the machines to boost profits -- and consumers would have no come-back.

Ms Gordon added: "There is no regulation in place nor is there anything suggested that, as long as these machines are allowed to remain in operation there are regulations so the public don't get duped.

Debate: Page 4 Machines could be banned "If the operators know these machines have a restricted life, they will milk them for all they're worth.'' She also said: "There were many churches which prayed for the PLP to become Government.'' And she questioned whether Government was trying to satisfy religious feeling, while also satisfying operators of the machines.

Ms Gordon added that there was nothing in the bill to prevent spare parts being made in Bermuda.

And she added that parts could be smuggled in -- especially electrical components which could have many uses.

"The Government has decided to ban these machines -- then do it, don't half do it,'' she said.

Earlier Ms Smith said: "We got advice from the Attorney General's Chambers that, beyond the concern, there were some laws which were being broken.'' But she said advice was that prosecuting operators would be "time-consuming and relatively fruitless''.

Ms Smith added that some felt gambling was harmless, while others felt even bingo and Crown and Anchor were "not in the community's best interest''.

Last night, Tom Gallagher, chairman of the restaurant and nightclub division of the Chamber of Commerce, said he understood from a meeting with operators that a review would take place following the announcement of the import ban.

He added: "I would say that the anticipation was that there would be a grandfather period until such times as the machines lost their effectiveness -- but we didn't think that was cut and dried.'' And he said -- especially with the downturn in tourism -- many establishments depended on gambling revenue to survive and to employ Bermudian labour.

Premier Jennifer Smith Creating a monopoly: Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon