A row erupted over the cruise ship gaming bill last night, with the Corporation of Hamilton reportedly unhappy at comments by the Premier's Press Secretary that it supported the bill.

According to VSB News last night, Dr. Ewart Brown's Press Secretary Glenn Jones made the comments on yesterday's Everest DeCosta radio talk show.

The news channel said Mr. Jones had told the BBC chat show the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George's were in favour of the gaming bill, as well as the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce.

However, a representative of City Hall in Hamilton had contacted VSB yesterday to say this was incorrect.

The station said it had also received a copy of a letter from Diane Gordon at the Chamber of Commerce to Cherie Whitter of the Tourism Department, suggesting the Chamber "still had a number of concerns and suggestions they would like addressed before they could take an official stance".

The broadcasting station said there was also anger at Mr. Jones's appearance on the radio show, as this was seen as "backroom staff making a political statement".

The Royal Gazette e-mailed Mr. Jones to ask if the reported comments were correct and whether he thought his appearance could be seen as a conflict of interest.

Mr. Jones was unavailable for comment last night.

In a statement however, Edward Benevides, chief operating officer and secretary to the Corporation of Hamilton, said: "Contrary to recently published reports, the Corporation of Hamilton has always maintained it does not have a position on gaming.

"If you will recall in April of this year, the Corporation of Hamilton publicly solicited the views of all City of Hamilton voters and potential voters ahead of the gaming hearings.

"The responses were varied and, as a body, the Members decided not to take a stance on gaming in Bermuda, at that time."

The Premier is expected to put the gaming bill to a Parliamentary vote in the House of Assembly on Friday.

In March Dr. Brown had to withdraw the bill when it faced potential defeat, with rebel Progressive Labour Party MPs ready to join the Opposition in a conscience vote.

The bill allows casinos onboard cruise ships to operate in port between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Those in support say it will enhance Bermuda's ability to attract cruise ships. However, those against argue it will divert passenger spending away from shops, bars and restaurants. They also claim it is unconstitutional as it discriminates against establishments on-Island which would also like to offer gambling.

Yesterday, The Royal Gazette reported Mayor of St. George's, Mariea Caisey, as saying gambling would encourage cruise ships to come to Bermuda.

"We need to have visitors here, we should do everything in our power to accommodate them," she said.

However, Hamilton Mayor Sutherland Madeiros said: "I believe if gambling ships are in Dockyard, the chances of people coming into Hamilton are less."

He said Corporation members had mixed views on the subject.

During the initial Parliamentary debate on the bill in March, Dr. Brown said the Prohibition of Gaming Machines Amendment Act 2009 had the support of most members of the Chamber of Commerce and Bermuda Hotel Association.

l See Opinion and separate story on pages 4 & 5