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Senate overrides governor's veto to allow Tinian stablecoin and offshore online gaming
Summary
The Senate voted 7-1 on April 23, 2025, to override the governor's veto of Senate Local Bill 24-01 Draft 1, authorizing a Tinian stablecoin and permitting an online gaming payment method intended for off-island markets. Lawmakers debated economic benefits, regulatory capacity and social risks before the override passed.
The Senate on April 23, 2025, voted 7-1 to override the governor's veto of Senate Local Bill 24-01 Draft 1, a measure to amend Tinian Local Law 21-09 to authorize a Tinian stablecoin/token as a payment method for an online gaming initiative aimed at off-island markets.
Supporters said the measure would help diversify local revenue without new brick-and-mortar development. Floor Leader Eric Ness moved to override the veto; the motion was seconded and carried after roll call. The clerk recorded seven members voting yes, one no and one member absent.
The debate focused on three main themes: economic diversification, regulatory capacity, and social concerns. Senator Kaulking Neighbors said the bill was revised to address prior veto points, including age restrictions and language drawn from federal statutes, and argued the stablecoin mechanism increases transparency for regulators and federal investigators: "...it allows for more transparency when it comes to the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission." (Senator Kaulking Neighbors)
Senator Selena Barata said she supported municipal self-sufficiency but voiced reservations about local capacity to enforce an online-payments system and worries about the social harms of gambling: "My deepest concern is that this 10-year stable token would create a similar form of payment, like Bitcoin... We lack the resources, we lack the expertise or the knowledge to enforce these..." (Senator Selena Barata)
Other senators framed the bill as part of broader revenue needs. Senator Manny Castro and Senator Hauschneider said Internet-based businesses can generate significant revenue and cited casino industry receipts and retirement-fund relief as part of the rationale for exploring online platforms. Senator Cowell (in discussion) and other proponents said implementation and regulatory expertise would be the responsibility of Tinian authorities and the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission; proponents emphasized that the bill intends transactions for international markets and said software would track transactions for compliance and potential federal review.
Opposition was limited in number but direct: Senator Abonta stated she would vote no because of insufficient knowledge about the industry's impacts. The roll call produced the final 7-1 result to override the governor's veto; the clerk noted one member absent.
The overridden bill's text, as described on the floor, would amend Tinian Local Law 21-09 to authorize a stablecoin/token and to permit an internet-based gaming payment system that proponents say is intended for interjurisdictional, off-island gaming markets. Supporters said federal anti-money-laundering rules, FinCEN oversight and other federal statutes will apply where relevant and that the software would permit transaction tracking. Opponents warned of enforcement capacity gaps and social harms tied to gambling.
Legislative next steps: The Senate left the matter on unfinished business for follow-up actions and did not adopt further implementing language on the floor during the session.
