Update: State's First Poker Lounge To Open

The state's first ever dedicated poker lounge is set to open this weekend even though the Little Rock city attorney says it's illegal.

An organization called National Poker Challenge is opening a franchise on Rodney Parham Road. The organization, based in Memphis, will open its Little Rock location officially on Saturday.

They say it?s legal because they don't charge people to play poker. But they do charge if you want your wins and losses tracked and recorded. The city attorney says that makes it gambling.

Franchisee Logan Dungan is excited to be opening the first ever poker lounge in Arkansas, but admits he's nervous about it.

Dungan says, ?With any business venture, I?d be nervous whether it's this or opening a grocery store or opening anything like that, nervousness is part of it."

He decided to partner with the Memphis-based organization based on the popularity of poker in Little Rock.

Dungan says, "The competition aspect of poker brings out the interest in everyone. They want to see how good they are compared to the other players."

Dungan will host his first games this weekend. A maximum of 200 people can play. You don't have to pay to play, but if you want your games tracked and scored, you pay $100. If you perform well you could take home extra money. Plus, those who pay, get the first chance to advance to bigger tournaments in Memphis but a corporate spokesman says even if you don't pay, you can still advance.

Directing of Marketing Steven Shipowitz says, "These are all free tournaments and no one has paid into these tournaments so they're completely legal."

Little Rock city attorney Tom Carpenter says, ?It's gambling that's prohibited under Arkansas law." Carpenter issued an opinion on the matter in August and gave a copy to the organization. He says people push the envelope all the time when they think they have a good business idea but there are laws in place for reasons.

Carpenter says, "Money is being given for playing cards and that's what falls as foul in the various statutes in Arkansas in gaming and gaming devices and gambling."

A spokesman for the Little Rock Police Department says they are aware of the lounge's opening on Saturday. Lt. Terry Hastings say they will monitor how it's run just like they do any other club, bar, or restaurant and if they find it's being run illegally they will make arrests.

Those with the National Poker Challenge say they already have 150 people signed up for their first weekend.