Little Rock – A
Little Rock poker establishment is postponing its opening after the
city said the venue would go against Arkansas gambling laws.

The National Poker Challenge has
already set up shop in Little Rock, and was set to hold its first poker
tournament last weekend. But that tournament was cancelled after the
city attorney advised the NPC it would be illegal.  

The NPC opened one year ago in
Memphis, Tennessee. Since then, it has expanded operations to
Oregon–and now Arkansas. They advertise as “the only legal poker room”
of its kind in the world.

Most players pay a monthly membership
fee to track their performance in a league. No fee is charged for
playing the actual game, so players don’t have to “buy in.”

But Little Rock City Attorney Tom
Carpenter says just because some participants will play for free is
beside the point. In a letter to the local officials, Carpenter argued
that the NPC’s operation is illegal because it involves the risking of
money between two or more persons, on a contest or chance, where one
must be the loser and the other a winner.

(Lt. Terry Hastings, LRPD)
“Anytime we find a violation of those gambling laws, we issue citations
and make arrests for that. That’s part of our duty.”

The NPC maintains that its operation is perfectly legal. 

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Author Contact Info: Kristin Fisher, KATV