ATTORNEY General Edward Manibusan is seeking a court injunction to stop the enforcement of Tinian Local Law 24-03.
Manibusan has asked the Superior Court to declare Tinian Local Law 24-03 unconstitutional. The law authorizes internet gambling on Tinian and the issuance of a digital currency known as the “Tinian Stable Token,” later rebranded as “Marianas U.S. Dollar.”
In his motion for a preliminary injunction, Manibusan urged the court “to stop the implementation of Tinian Local Law 24-03, stop any awarding of internet gaming licenses or internet casino licenses, pause the awarding of the sole source contract to Marianas Rai Corp., and order Marianas Rai Corp. to stop the issuance of any Marianas USD/Tinian Stable Token during the pendency of this case to determine the constitutionality of Tinian Local Law 24-03 and to maintain the status quo of the time before the veto override and the law was official.”
On June 30, at 1:30 p.m., Judge Kenneth L. Govendo will hold a hearing on the AG’s motion for preliminary injunction.
The AG has named as defendants the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission, Tinian Municipal Treasurer Maria Barbara Borja, and Marianas Rai Corporation, which was chosen by Tinian as an exclusive provider of software and services for the issuance and redemption of the Marianas U.S. Dollar.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios disapproved the measure based on the AG’s legal opinion, but both houses of the Legislature overrode his veto.
According to the AG, the Tinian local law exceeds the legislative authority of the Tinian and Aguiguan Legislative Delegation by regulating activities beyond the geographical scope of the Second Senatorial District.
According to Manibusan, “the bill lacks any mechanism that would effectively limit the activity being proposed to only occur within the boundaries of the Second Senatorial District, nor does the bill restrict the issuance of an internet gaming license to a physical location within the Second Senatorial District.”
Moreover, he said, the measure does not contain “any requirements for licensees and operators to implement robust technical verification measures to enforce the territorial boundaries of the Second Senatorial District.”
“The bill lacks robust enforcement measures to prevent or thwart illegal gaming activities in order to attain a vibrant and profitable Tinian casino industry [that] the bill envisions and as articulated in its findings and purpose. The bill does not contain any provision providing for fines, license revocations, or other legal sanctions specific to internet gaming that can strengthen enforcement of this especially volatile and vulnerable activity, which by its fluid nature makes it harder for government to track and regulate,” Manibusan said.
On June 4, 2025, attorney Richard Miller filed a notice of appearance for Marianas Rai Corporation.
