The Ministry of Tourism yesterday defended Premier Ewart Brown's move to direct taxpayers' money to a glitzy poker tournament at the Los Angeles Playboy Mansion.

It said the Premier — who handed out prizes at the venue in his role as Tourism Minister last Saturday — was promoting the Island as "a travel destination of choice — particularly among affluent travellers".

The Urban Health Institute, a charity founded by Dr. Brown's eldest son, Kevin, was the beneficiary of the event. The Ministry helped to sponsor it by donating three trips to Bermuda in partnership with Elbow Beach Hotel.

Dr. Brown was joined at the event by numerous "bunny girls", host soft-porn magnate Hugh Hefner and one of his girlfriends Holly Madison, actor and renowned poker player Don Cheadle and reality TV star Khloe Karashian among others.

Its raunchy advertising flier, featuring photographs of scantily dressed women, promised participants they could enjoy a night of "mixing and mingling with celebrity actors, athletes, musicians and, of course, the beautiful Playboy Playmates as they test their skills in a Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament and other casino games, all while supporting a worthy cause".

Yesterday, after the story was reported in the Mid-Ocean News, the Premier's Press Secretary Glenn Jones released a statement to the Island's media attributed to a Department of Tourism spokesman.

It said: "The Bermuda Department of Tourism was a sponsor for a charity silent auction during the Celebrity Poker Tournament.

"The silent auction benefited the Urban Health Institute of Los Angeles, California, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organisation. These types of sponsorships afford Bermuda an opportunity to do public good in communities around the United States while also promoting the Island as a travel destination of choice — particularly among affluent travellers.

"The Department's charitable participation of this event is beneficial to the Bermuda Tourism product. The Department's affiliation with UHI has directly led to visitor arrivals, particularly for the Bermuda Music Festival and the Annual Love Festival."

Asked how much Tourism had spent on the project, Mr. Jones said the value was estimated at between $1,500 and $1,800 depending on where the winner flies from. He added that the hotel portion of the prize is donated by the hotel partner.

Responding on behalf of the Premier about whether Dr. Brown's son's connection with the event had anything to do with his Ministry's decision to sponsor it, Mr Jones replied: "The only factor in deciding which charity to support is the charity itself. The money doesn't go to any individual. That is true for Urban Health Institute, the Tiny Miracles Foundation, the National Urban Technology Centre, etc."

Addressing a suggestion that Bermuda received minimal coverage for its sponsorship, Mr. Jones' earlier statement said: "As with most organisations, the level of exposure that a sponsor receives is directly related to the level of contribution. It is likely that other sponsors received more exposure at the event due to higher levels of support.

"The Department of Tourism donated three trips to Bermuda in partnership with the Mandarin Elbow Beach Hotel. However it should be pointed out that there was some distinct Bermuda Tourism branding including Bermuda Tourism bags and attractive 'Feel the Love' signage in the raffle area."

The statement said the Premier was on personal travel while in Los Angeles, and stayed at the luxurious Peninsula hotel in Beverly Hills as a 62nd birthday gift from wife, Wanda.

It added: "However on this occasion, like many others that go unreported, the Premier agreed to attend the event at the Playboy Mansion as Minister of Tourism to present the prizes."

The day after the party, the Premier was guest of honour at one of the city's largest churches, and he was presented a proclamation from County Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke and the key to Culver City.

Other organisations that have recently received similar trips to Bermuda donations from the Department of Tourism for a Silent Auction are: The Tiny Miracles Foundation in Connecticut, the National Urban Technology Center in New York and Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.

Mr. Jones added: "There was no press conference on this sponsorship because this kind of charitable support is commonplace for the Department of Tourism, particularly at events where Bermuda's awareness can be heightened among affluent travellers."