Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen today dismissed a challenge by opponents to casino gambling in Pope County of the Arkansas Racing Commission’s grant of a permit to Cherokee Nation Businesses for the Legends Resort and Casino in Russellville.

The judge dismissed the lawsuit by Citizens for a Better Pope County because the plaintiffs had no standing because they could show no injury or threatened injury, the claims are moot, the state cannot be sued, [and] the plaintiffs failed to include all necessary parties.

The plaintiffs can appeal. Also, at least one other legal action is pending, a challenge of the permit by Gulfside Casino Partnership, initially picked for the permit in a decision overturned in court.