by Nick Delgado

Guam - You can bet your bottom dollar there will be casino gambling at this year's Liberation Carnival. The Mayor's Council of Guam today voting in favor of having another year of baccarat and poker. The decision to bet another year on casino gambling at the 2012 Liberation Carnival came in just one vote shy of being unanimous by village mayors. But it's the motion made this morning by Yigo Mayor Bob Lizama to host the games of chance that has the wheels in motion for casino games to begin.

Island residents will more than likely be able to place their bets at the annual carnival this after mayors agreed it's a big money maker. Because of the profits casino gambling brings in a majority of the island's mayors voted in favor of continuing the concession during this year's carnival. Mayor's Council of Guam executive director Angel Sablan said, "The law says whatever the net proceeds are of the Liberation festivities, 50 percent goes to the First Lady of Guam for her causes, 50 percent goes to MCOG for their cause."

The mayors each divided up about $45,000 from Liberation revenue in 2011. In the meantime gambling at the carnival isn't exactly a done deal. "Ultimately though we need to get the approval of the governor of Guam to make these games happen games of chance and we will be seeking his approval once the packets are put together<"s said Sablan.

Liberation Committee chair and Agana Heights Mayor Paul McDonald says the hours for casino operations and the type of games will not change. As we reported, authorities temporarily shut down the Liberation Casino last year for illegally operating in violation of the hours agreed upon.

Mayor Lizama says they will ensure that does not happen this time around, saying, "As to what happened last year I'm sure we will be more monitoring that now and I'm getting more involved as a mayor and with the executive level and operations as well so Ill be out there."

The Mayor's Council is also looking for other locations to hold the carnival, as news came that construction of the Hagatna Bridge will begin in May. Sablan says road construction will hamper traffic coming to the carnival so they are considering hosting the carnival at previous sites, but nothing official just yet.

The Mayor's Council will begin distributing concession packets for this year's Liberation Carnival on Griday. you can pick one up at their Hagatna office.