In total 32 MPs laid their cards on the tables of the House of Assembly last night, most said no thanks to opening a casino in Bermuda.

Many cited the current climate in Bermuda as a factor in their decision, other said the Church vote had made it clear gambling was not welcome and some said put it to the people in a referendum.

In total 24 MPs spoke out against the Green Paper on Gaming including the Deputy Premier and six members of Cabinet.

Only five MPs came out in support of Premier Ewart Brown's Green Paper, two of whom are members of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance.

Here is a breakdown of where most people stood:

Progressive Labour Party MPs against it

Finance Minister Paula Cox said Bermuda was at a tipping point and she did not support the Green Paper at this time, but would consider it in the future.

Regarding the tourism industry she said she thought it should head in a different direction.

"What I see as an important issue for this industry is putting 'the Bermuda' back in tourism. We should regain, encourage and support a tourism product that utilises Bermuda entertainment at its best." But Ms Cox was clear to point out that she was not entirely against the concept.

Health Minster Walter Roban said at the moment he could not support the Green Paper.

"I am not really comfortable with it," he said. Now is not the time, but going forward it may be.

As Health Minister he said he could not ignore the social ills of gambling as Bermuda already pays a high price because of addictions. He added that it was clear Bermuda's tourism industry needed to be revitalised and hotels needed help but said this may not be the route.

Chief Whip and PLP MP Lovitta Foggo voted against gaming as she said her constituents were overwhelmingly against it. She said MPs had to vote in the best interests of the community.

Education Minister El James said: "I do oppose gambling and I strongly believe that it is immoral for this country to bank on balancing its budget through the losses of its people.

"Does it pass the cost/benefit test? No — it definitely does not"

MP Randolph Horton believed the report was enticing for hoteliers but said it was wrong for society.

"What message does it send to our young people? We tell them to get an education, study, grow up get a job and earn a dollar. But this tells them, 'hey maybe I don't need to do that'. What message are we sending to our young people who are running around shooting each other, who are committing robbery.

Former Premier Jennifer Smith said: "I have no problem with someone who wants to do a little gambling but I do have a problem introducing something that could be damaging for our country.

"Even though Bermuda's tourism industry needs to do something, I don't think the ends will justify the introduction of gambling.

With the current climate it is very difficult how we could consider taking this action. I think that the Government is charged with ensuring the safety of its people. When you can guarantee that all employees at every level are not involved with any kind of mafia, gangs, money laundering or any crime — then maybe.

MP Patrice Minors said that the introduction of gambling is not in the best interest of Bermudians and that it implies that Government cares more for tourists than Bermudians.

"With gambling someone has to lose for someone else to win," she said. "It is not right to have a system that relies on Bermudians losing to make a profit. We need to seriously look at the ramifications of pursuing gambling."

MP Dale Butler said he personally did not have a problem with gaming and has played crown and anchor, bet on the horses and currently has two dollars on Dr brown leaving in October. He told the house he had canvassed widely: "I don't have a problem with casinos but I have to represent my constituents. I say down to get their feed back while the yeses are 15 the people saying no are 75 percent so that means they have expressed their views and I would have no alternative than to vote no.

Progressive Labour Party MPs for it

Premier Ewart Brown told the House yesterday that introducing gambling in Bermuda would not answer all the problems in the tourism industry. He believes it is part of a package of reforms.

These included acknowledging that tourists are not only in the US East Coast and amenities matter. He added that "money has no colour" and Bermuda has to offer more than a pretty destination.

Adding that progress is necessary and reminded the house that at one point fractional hotel properties were seen as "curse words" in the community.

"If we are to be true to "Tourism as the 2nd pillar of the economy" and "Bermuda First", two maxims that often feature in debate in this Honourable House, we must recognise the importance of this debate and formation of the policy in this area," he said.

Minister Zane DeSilva said that there is not enough night-time entertainment available for visitors in Bermuda and that a casino could fill that void.

"After 8 p.m. what is there for our tourists to do?" he asked. "My vision is to go to a casino after dinner and enjoy some live, Bermudian entertainment. What I say is 'give tourists another option'. We have to find ways to entice people to come to Bermuda.

"We are living in a changing world and if we don't have attractions that people want, they will just go elsewhere."

Minister Glenn Blakeney said that it is not the right time to introduce gambling.

"I have nothing at all against responsible gaming but the jury is out," he said. "I think the only option now is to through the support of the people. I think the subject should be brought to referendum."

MP Walter Lister said he himself was not a gambler.

"I am not opposed to a casino in Bermuda I supported it for ships in our port late at night. I don't know how many of you have been to dockyard at night and seen the tourists with nothing to do, many of them would gamble."

He said he hoped Bermuda would emulate other responsible gambling jurisdictions when it came to casino.

"I have listened to the concerns and I do not take them lightly but I still think this is the correct thing to do for Bermuda and all those who say now is not the time when is the time? That is an important thing you have not said.

United Bermuda Party MPs against it

Leader of the Opposition Kim Swan came out strongly against gambling, saying that he was not willing to loose the souls of Bermuda for a quick buck.

He added that Bermuda's family structure and society were already dealing with social ills and now was not the time to go adding other problems, such as gambling addiction, to the mix.

As for improving the tourism industry Mr. Swan said "going back to basics" was more important that introducing gambling.

"We need to fish where the fish are. We need a tourism authority where the people involved in the tourism industry run it. The Bermuda First report, which made a recommendation for looking at gambling, also recommended a tourism authority.

"We need to fix tourism first, before we look at this."

Mr. Swan, alluding the current escalating gun crime, said: "The way we have gone about this process is good, that we can debate it, but the time, when our country has serious concerns, is totally wrong."

And because gambling is a hot-button issue on the Island he believed it should be decided on by a national referendum.

MP John Barritt was against the Green Paper saying there are too many "ifs" to consider.

In his remarks he said that Bermudians are unlikely to fill the jobs that will inevitably be created by the introduction of a casino.

"All of the most recent jobs growth in Bermuda is from guest workers," he claimed. "What is going to be the magic in a casino that it will attract Bermudian workers? We can't even find Bermudians to work for the Fire Service. What makes us think that they will flock to a casino?"

Citing a tourism exit surveys Mr. Barritt claimed that only 28 percent of those polled had a propensity towards gambling. He said that Bermuda will not lose business by forgoing gambling and that most people are against the idea.

He added that the public safety initiatives and education programmes necessary to inform and protect the public from the social ills that come with gambling would stretch the Island's resources too far.

"With our limited resources how could we implement such a huge strategy to reach so many people?" he said. "This could greatly change our country, we really need to look at the social impact of gaming. We do need to re-evaluate our tourism industry but this is not the road to take."

Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards said that the Green Paper would not be economical "game changer".

"With gambling the house always wins and the population always loses," claimed Mr. Richards. "The Government is going out of its way to promote something that could further impoverish the [economically] vulnerable.

"And for locals to participate in gambling does nothing for the tourism industry. With a casino that is run by foreign operators, the funds will inevitably end up leaving the Island.

MP Patricia Gordon-Pamplin urged her colleagues to consider legalised gambling the last resort for improving tourism.

"We have to acknowledge that if we go down this route — it is irreversible," she said. "It could be potentially catastrophic if we go about this in the wrong way.

"The casino concept should be the last thing we consider rather than the first, the starting point should be improving existing hotels. I am not convinced at this point in our development that the hotels have taken every step possible to bring their numbers up. If we try everything else and there is still no other option that will improve tourism then maybe we should give it a try."

MP Cole Simons questioned why government has committed itself to a white paper. "I have been in this house since 1998 and I have never seen any thing like this we have had five cabinet members say they time is not right they say they are making a decision based on their principles and values. What I find most intriguing is if there is not support for this why are they going to a white paper. It makes no sense."

He added that as shadow finance minster he was concerned it would lead to money laundering.

MP Grant Gibbons said: "I have to wonder why we are here today we have heard a lot of MPs speak and the majority of them say they are opposed and one or two cabinet ministers are against it and others are hedging their bets I don't know how this got tabled and I cannot imagine we will see a white paper we have a lot more pressing issues."

He added that many small casinos were closing in the US and this was a last-ditch attempt to save tourism due to tourism mismanagement

United Bermuda Party MPs for it: none.

Bermuda Democratic Alliance MPs against it

Donte Hunt cited surveys and statistics from various countries where gaming is legal and said that the social pitfalls like crime and addiction associated with gambling, outweigh the benefits.

"I can say, Mr. Speaker, that with all the research I have done on the subject — I am against gambling and casinos in Bermuda," said Mr. Hunt. "Gambling addicts are no different than drug or alcohol addicts. Gambling has been proven to be just as, if not more addicting than drugs like heroin or cocaine."

Bermuda Democratic Alliance MPs for it

Mark Pettingill told the church community and UBP it was time to "get real"

"We are not here debating whether gambling should be in Bermuda, it is, we are here debating whether there should be an extension of gambling.

"We have had gaming in Bermuda for a long time.

"At the county games and Cup Match we have everybody, church members, Minister, MPs go throw down on crown and anchor, all the time.

"Bermudians can go bet on the horses, which some would believe the most insidious type of gaming. We have people who have lost their houses this way.

"We have bingo in church halls and raffles to raise money for churches.

"we are not going to have a referendum on something that has been here for a long time.

Mr. Pettingill said his party supported the development of a Monte Carlo style casino, where formal wear was required and the atmosphere was sophisticated. With the proper legislation, and transparency, he believed gambling could be beneficial.

"What is the difference between 'up she comes' at the Crown and Anchor table and calling 'blackjack' at a casino?

"The difference is you wear a vest and your cup match colours to one and a suit and tie to the other."

As for the church community that has come out against gaming Mr. P said if it was a concern of principle the same people should be calling for an end to Crown and Anchor, bingo and raffles as those too are forms of gaming and lotteries and therefore should pose the same risks to the souls of people as a casino.

MP Shawn Crockwell said that gambling could keep Bermuda competitive in the tourism industry.

"I must say that I am a bit surprised by the proportion of people who have come out against the Green Paper," he said. "Many of our competitors in tourism have realised the benefit of a casino in their jurisdiction. We need to remain competitive. Gaming may not be the panacea but it could assist us.

"It is certainly worth exploring the issue to find out if it can improve our tourism product because we can no longer rely solely on