A Little Rock poker room will open despite warnings from city officials. The National Poker Challenge markets itself as legal poker--and it is now set to open in Little Rock in September.

The National Poker Challenge, or NPC, delayed the opening of its poker room here in Arkansas after city officials told them the games would be in violation of state gambling laws.

While city officials maintain that point of view, the NPC now says it will hold tournaments.

The National Poker Challenge calls itself the nation's only non-gambling legal poker tournament--and with no pay-to-play, the NPC says they maintain casino-style action without breaking the law. 

(Youtube Video)"NPC holds a strict no-gambling policy. Most players do, however, pay a monthly fee for statistical tracking of their performance."

Players can also compete in tournaments for cash prizes.

But, while other NPC franchises exist in Memphis and Portland, Little Rock officials say this type of poker room is in violation of Arkansas gambling laws.

That news delayed the opening of the Little Rock National Poker Challenge earlier this month. But now the NPC website confirms that after working on their relationship with Little Rock city officials, the NPC will be holding promotional free tournaments in Little Rock.

Free or not, Little Rock officials maintain this type of poker is illegal.

(Lt. Terry Hastings, Little Rock Police Dept.)"The Little Rock Police Department has not told them they cannot open the business. But anytime you win things--whether it be money or prizes or whatever--it's illegal."

Little Rock police also say they will make arrests if there is any alleged gambling.