Two motions seeking to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of a casino license in Pope County granted to Legends Resort and Casino by the Arkansas Racing Commission were denied Wednesday by a judge in Pulaski County who said the plaintiff in the case has standing to take the issue to court and that he has presented factual allegations that present a constitutional question in the matter.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen denied the two motions, filed by the Arkansas Racing Commission and by Legends Resort and Casino, LLC/Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC, which was issued the casino license for Pope County by the Racing Commission on Nov. 12, 2021.