THE Tinian local bill that Gov. Arnold I. Palacios vetoed is now Tinian Local Law 23-3, which allows online gaming and creates a Tinian stable coin.
Citing the legal opinion of the attorney general, the governor vetoed the bill on April 11, 2025.
However, on May 9, 2025, by a vote of 7 to 1, the Senate overrode the veto. The House of Representatives followed suit on May 15, 2025, by a vote of 14 to 2.
In his May 19, 2025, transmittal letter to Senate President Dennis James Mendiola and Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, the governor stated that, pursuant to the lawmakers’ override action, S.L.B. 24-1 is now T.L.L. 23-3.
Authored by Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider, Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz and Senate Vice President Karl King-Nabors, T.L.L. 24-3 allows the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission to grant 11 internet gaming licenses that will be valid for 20 years.
The new law requires an online gaming investor to pay a $20,000 annual license fee, plus a non-refundable $5,000 application fee.
T.L.L. 24-3 also allows the Tinian gaming regulatory body to issue, manage and redeem the Tinian Stable Token, which will be used as a financial tool to enable and allow the Tinian municipal treasurer to track and control digital payments, including but not limited to payments by internet casino licensees and players, to ensure full compliance with U.S. and CNMI laws governing internet gambling and other digital financial transactions.
The governor has expressed his concern about the measure, citing the attorney general’s opinion that it is unconstitutional. He is also concerned about the bill’s “lack of robust enforcement measure” to prevent illegal gaming activities in the CNMI.
Proponents of the bill said they have addressed the concerns raised.
