Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade yesterday strongly rejected former Premier Sir John Swan's suggestion that casinos could boost the flagging hotel industry.

And Mr. Wade told The Royal Gazette he has sent off letters to church leaders, seeking their individual views on casinos and Sunday shopping.

Sir John last week told MPs Bermuda was operating double standards when it came to gambling.

"Cruise ships shut down casinos as they enter the harbour and people from Bermuda go to America to visit casinos, taking money out of the Island,'' he said.

Sir John added that visitors were accustomed to gambling and pointed out that the recent buyers of the London Ritz paid for the hotel simply because the lease on the casino they operated in-house was due to expire.

"In three or four years, they will pay off the cost of the hotel and they can now take the risk and give it a good face-lift because they own the casino and the hotel,'' he said.

Responding to Mr. Swan's comments, Mr. Wade said: "Our policy has not altered. We are still against casinos in Bermuda.'' He also dismissed Sir. John's argument that Bermudians were taking money out of the country to gamble overseas.

"Having this (gambling) locally does not mean Bermudians will stop going overseas to gamble,'' Mr. Wade said, adding that locals did not go abroad just to gamble but they also enjoyed the big shows and other entertainment.

Instead of considering gambling, Mr. Wade said the Tourism Minister could do many other things to build up the trade.

And he noted that casinos were not the cure for the tourism industry's ills.

"There are places, like Antigua, where they have casinos and it has not made a difference,'' Mr. Wade said. "Also there is the issue of casinos bring undesirable elements into Bermuda.

"Today I wrote to church leaders asking their view about casinos and the opening of retail outlets on Sundays so when it comes up in the House, we will put forward their point of view,'' Mr. Wade said.

However, Bermuda Hotel Association president Mr. John Harvey said hoteliers welcomed any avenue of increasing occupancy and reducing cost.

"We were very heartened that Sir John spoke very honestly and sincerely about the hotels' plight,'' Mr. Harvey said. "We would be obliged to seek any avenue of increasing occupancy and reducing cost.

"We have to find a way to make up for these last years. We're not afraid to explore various avenues. And if casinos are one of the answers, we will gladly march with Sir John.''