on gambling. The law as it is written is old and vague and really deals with a definition based on games of chance but is complicated because the law does not seem to apply to private clubs therefore we have bingo on television pretending to be private club bingo.

We have a situation where we react only to complaints about individual incidents; hence the private person complaining to a Member of Parliament about gambling machines. It seems to us that if something is illegal then it is a Police matter and the Police should be diligent and the law should be enforced without the need for a complaint.

If someone were to open a small casino would we sit about waiting for complaints? Gambling machine rooms in bars seem very like small casinos.

What Bermuda needs is a clear policy, in favour or against, so that people know what the law is and can behave accordingly without the need to test the law. Because of the complaint to an MP about some of the gambling machines which have recently appeared in some bars, we have a ruling from the Attorney General's Chambers. According to a Police spokesman, this ruling indicates that "there may be offences being committed related to the use of these types of machines''. The spokesman also said the subject is quite complex and Police will have to look into the matter further before determining what course of action to take.

It seems to us that the subject should not be complex and that the law, one way or the other, needs to be clear and understood.

Gambling raises strong feelings for and against. Clearly there are operators and members of the public who want to use these machines. They must be profitable or they would not be installed. It is equally clear that they offend members of the public who would rather not see gambling in Bermuda, especially anything which looks like casino gambling. Yet we live in a Country where any number of people do gamble one way and another and where many of our visitors expect to find some form of gambling.

Many church groups in Bermuda are opposed to gambling of any sort and clearly their thinking should be considered. This is both a conservative and a religious country. However we do have all sorts of legal gambling from football pools to Crown and Anchor at cricket games.

This newspaper has long been on record as supporting a national lottery, the proceeds of which would be used to support national programmes. However we are opposed to casino gambling because of the attendant problems. However, today that is not our question. Today we are concerned that the gambling laws are vague and inadequate and are honoured only on an ad hoc basis.

Bermuda should consider what it wants in the way of gambling and how much and what type of gambling it is willing to accept. Then the law should be made clear and enforceable.