Cruise ship casinos may be able to operate 24 hours a day while berthed in Bermuda under new legislation.

Casinos on ships can only open between 9pm and 5am in Bermuda’s waters at present.

But cruise operators would be allowed to apply for an extension to those hours if the Cruise Ships (Casinos) Amendment Bill is backed by legislators.

The Bill, tabled in the House of Assembly last Friday, would also permit cruise ships to obtain a 12-month gambling licence rather than the eight-month licence, which runs from April to November, in force at present.

The Bill said: “It is expedient to amend the Cruise Ships (Casinos) Act 2013 to widen the period during which a cruise ship casino licence remains valid and to enable additional operating hours to be determined in respect of a licensed cruise ship casino.

“Where the owner of a cruise line wishes to operate a casino during additional periods to the period permitted … he or an agent authorised pursuant to section 5 to act on his behalf may make such a request in writing to the commission at the time of making an application for a licence.”

The Bermuda National Trust is also in line for an administrative shake-up under another piece of proposed legislation.

the number of people elected to sit on the trust’s board would be increased under the Bermuda National Trust Amendment Bill.

The bill also proposed “the removal of appointments to the council by entitlement” and the appointment of an auditor to review annual accounts.