A bill relaxing anti-gambling legislation on cruise ships has been tabled in the House of Assembly.

Some passenger ships will be exempt from laws banning gaming machines under the Prohibition of Gaming Machines Amendment Bill 2009.

The new legislation states the Minister responsible for lotteries will have the power to make an order exempting 'certain categories of passenger ships' from Section Five of the Prohibition of Gaming Machines Act 2001, the law which attaches a $25,000 fine to the use of gaming machines.

Last summer, Premier and Tourism and Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown announced Cabinet had approved a plan to allow late-night casinos in port to try to fight off increasing competition from rival cruise destinations.

Currently, American consultants The Innovation Group are carrying out a feasibility study into the idea of relaxing Bermuda's anti-gambling legislation.

Religious groups including the AME Church, Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Muslim community of Bermuda have all recently stated their opposition to gambling.