A majority of Bermuda residents support the legalisation of gambling, a survey has found.Conducted by MindMaps for The Royal Gazette, the poll found that 60 percent of residents polled believe that gambling should be legalised.Older residents, aged 65 and over, are the only demographic to register less than 50 percent in favour of legalisation.Just 44 percent said they believed it should be legalised, with an equal percentage saying it shouldn’t.And 45 to 54-year-olds are most likely to support legalisation, with 77 percent responding in the affirmative to the question “Should gambling be legalised in Bermuda?”Thirty percent of respondents were against the idea, while another nine percent did not know or refused to answer.Most MPs were against legalising gambling when a Green Paper on the issue was debated last year.Many cited possible negative social impacts on the Bermudian population. Some members of the clergy are decidedly against introducing legalised gambling to Bermuda.Government has now decided to put the controversial issue to the people in a national referendum. Yesterday the Progressive Labour Party said it supports the Government’s position.In its Strategic Imperatives Report released this month, the Tourism Board calls for the legalisation of gaming and the opening of a casino in Bermuda within two years in order to provide an additional recreational option for visitors.Kim Swan, who was elected as a United Bermuda Party MP, said that the survey results mirrored results of a poll he took of a sampling of his St George’s West constituents.“I was taken aback that so many persons were now prepared to disclose their support of gaming for Bermuda,” he said.“Numerous persons that were polled in St George’s, especially those who were against and not sure were most concerned about the impact on locals (as am I) with many urging the consideration of the Bahamas model to protect locals from the harmful impact of gaming whilst creating jobs and an additional amenity for marketing Bermuda.”Mr Swan went on to say that his view was that the “resounding affirmation” in favour of legalised gambling was due in part to the economic climate.“Many expressed that the addition of gaming will enhance the local tourism product and that adults should be able to choose for themselves how to spend their money.”Mr Swan’s survey which continues, is being conducted door-to-door. Seven percent of registered voters have been sampled.So far it has found that 62 percent of constituents support legalising gambling, with 22 percent opposed, while another 15 percent is undecided.The MindMaps survey was of a representative sample of 400 Bermuda residents 18 years and older. The data was weighted to be representative of Bermuda’s population by age, race, and gender.St John’s Church rector Nicholas Dill would be in the minority with what he says are his personal “theological, social and economic” objections to legalised gambling.“It’s a panacea which benefits the casino owners, but does not bring long term benefits to society,” he said last night.“I’m not a big fan of gambling at all. It’s predicated on greed.”