The state has lost in it’s first attempt to stop the Tohono O'odham Nation from opening its casino near Glendale.
U.S. District Court Judge Steven Logan has rejected a plea by the Arizona Attorney General's Office that Logan continue to handle the lawsuit filed against the governor and others by the tribe. Instead, Logan sent the case to Judge David Campbell.
Judge Campbell has previously handled several separate lawsuits over the same casino –- ruling in favor of the tribe and rejecting a series of prior efforts by the state to block the casino.
The original suit was filed after Gaming Director Daniel Bergin refused to issue the almost complete casino an operating license.
The case will be heard in court in mid-September.
RELATED: Arizona Tribe Sues State To Be Able To Open Casino Near Glendale