strongly against a casino opening in Bermuda.

Mr. Brock is head of the Premier's Commission on Competitiveness, which is studying casinos as part of its probe into how to boost the economy.

But Mr. Brock warned a casino could attract undesirable visitors, lead to gambling addiction and send the message to youngsters that money could be gained by chance rather than through hard work.

He told The Royal Gazette : "I am personally very, very strongly opposed to gambling and the idea of a casino in Bermuda.'' He stressed the Commission -- which is gathering information from about 57 "task forces'' -- had not discussed casinos yet, let alone made its mind up.

"There is no question that there are some of us in the commission who are extremely opposed to gambling and making such a recommendation,'' he said.

"There are others in the sub-committees who are for it and who say at least let's investigate it.

"But I seriously doubt that we will be making any recommendation to have a casino in Bermuda.

"We'll put the positives down, but we'll take a good look at the negatives.

And in my view, the negatives are pretty dire things for Bermuda.

"I can be out-voted of course. And I'm not the decision-maker, the decision-makers are in Government.'' The hot subject of casinos was raised in Parliament on Friday by Opposition MP Mr. Julian Hall, who has been a strong supporter of a visitors-only casino.

He said on Friday he had met a Ms Jan Gordon, from Cleveland, Ohio, who said she was here to assist the Premier in developing casino gambling in Bermuda.

He described Ms Gordon as a member of the Republican party who arranged for a "special flag to fly for the Premier over the White House'' during his visit to Washington.

Hall said Ms Gordon was generous with information and "had some very charming arguments in support of casinos'' until he told her he was a Member of Parliament and would be carrying this information back to the House.

"Every time I find one iota of evidence in support of the theory, which is becoming more than that, that there is a secret agenda on the part of the Swan Government to introduce casino gambling, I will make it known.'' He asked how Ms Gordon was being compensated.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan told the House he had never heard of Ms Gordon.

He added: "I can assure Members of this House that the Government does not have, under my knowledge, any investigation with respect to casinos under study.'' Yesterday Mr. Hall said Ms Gordon was with the Commission on Competitiveness.

Mr. Brock said she had called him offering advice on the subject, saying she had been on vacation on the Island and had seen reports of public meetings held by the commission at which the casino idea had surfaced.

He understood her to be an adviser to state governments on gambling, and had referred her to commission member Mr. John Collis, head of a committee which is investigating new ways of earning foreign currency, including casinos.

"She's not working for us,'' Mr. Brock said. "She is not being employed as an adviser or a consultant by the commission.'' There was no work permit for her to do such a job, paid or unpaid, he said.

Mr. Collis was off the Island.