A federal appeals court has rejected a request by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe to dismiss a lawsuit by Idaho officials seeking to prevent Texas Hold 'Em poker tournaments at the tribe's casino.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also on Wednesday upheld U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill's injunction issued in September preventing the tribe from holding the tournaments while the lawsuit moves forward.
Idaho officials sued the tribe in May 2014 contending all forms of poker are banned under Idaho's Constitution and state law.
The appeals court in the 16-page ruling says Winmill correctly concluded that it was in the public interest to grant the injunction.