179 replies
Reports say TABC (https://www.tabc.texas.gov/)(Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission) came in with an alleged search warrant, would not allow players to cash out but let them leave with their chips.
Reddit Thread (https://www.reddit.com/r/poker/comments/1rq1n83/lodge_austin_raided_this_morning_by_police/)
PokerNews Article (https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/03/lodge-card-club-texas-poker-room-raided-50786.htm)
@toothpic (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/members/493/)
It was only a matter of time. I wonder what this means for the Texas card-house scene. I’d heard of smaller venues being raided, but not any of the major players (TCH, Lodge, etc.) until now.
Honestly surprised it's taken this long for this to occur at one of the big card rooms down there.
You can only dance on the line of legal ambiguity for so long before the powers that be get fed up.
Hard to say if this is a gambling raid or an alcohol raid. Though it could become both. Was there any form of drink service offered at The Lodge? You would think so with TABC being involved.
I think we need to wait for clarification before writing the obituary of public card rooms in Texas.
Oh, and there might be a trial to get through too -=- DrStrange
The Reddit thread appears to suggest underage alcohol service. One commenter said they recently began allowing 18-20-year-olds to participate.
Is this the room “owned” by Doug Polk, Brad Owen, and others? If it is, do we know whether they are in custody and whether their vlogs will continue if they are incarcerated? I’m asking questions, not making accusations.
Reports say TABC (https://www.tabc.texas.gov/)(Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission) came in with an alleged search warrant, would not allow players to cash out but let them leave with their chips.
Reddit Thread (https://www.reddit.com/r/poker/comments/1rq1n83/lodge_austin_raided_this_morning_by_police/)
PokerNews Article (https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/03/lodge-card-club-texas-poker-room-raided-50786.htm)
@toothpic (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/members/493/)
Didn't see this earlier and posted a duplciate thread!
With TABC involved it's likely due to alcohol. When playing at the tables I've never seen someone get asked for ID, but that makes sense as they likely have your license information and know your age I guess?
Lodge also has Odds Bar and Bistro which is a restaurant and bar. Maybe they aren't checking IDs enough there?
It's always the hookers and blow...
The Reddit thread appears to suggest underage alcohol service. One user said they recently began allowing 18-20 year-olds to play.
Just my two cents: if they’re serving alcohol, that’s a poor decision.
It's always the hookers and blow...
Dibs.
Just my two cents, but it’s a bad move if they start serving alcohol.
TCH was the first to do this and it drew away a lot of clientele. The option to play, enjoy a decent meal and have a beer or a cocktail was a major draw for many. Keep in mind that a lot of players are there to play recreationally and for fun.
TCH started doing it first and pulled a lot of clientelle because of it. The ability to go play, get a pretty decent meal and a beer or liquor was a huge plus for a lot of people. Remember, many of the players are playing recreationally for fun.
I was referring more to letting 18 to 20 year olds play. That and alcohol is a bad mix. Choose one and they'll be in the clear.
I was referring more to letting 18 to 20 year olds play. That and alcohol is a bad mix. Choose one and they'll be in the clear.
Yea that's interesting. I don't know anything about the age limit change. Too old and far from that I guess lol. I always thought it was 21+
EDIT: yea cash game is 18+. Not sure how that works but if you're sitting at the table playing they have your profile pulled up and should know if you're 21 or older to order a drink when the waitress comes by? Or maybe they didn't care and just wanted the sales, which lead to to where they are now.
I used AI to search, so treat this cautiously.
I also located an older Facebook post.
It's always the hookers and blow...
Common phrase among criminal lawyers: “don’t break the law while you’re breaking the law.”
Most, maybe all, poker in TX and Oklahoma is 18+ as far as I know. Curious if this is just a serving to <21 or if it’s using the TABC to hassle a business that someone thinks is a nuisance
I really don't see the business justification for increasing memberships from 21+ to 18+. You must complete all these additional steps to meet alcohol sales compliance requirements — and for what gain? Is the 18 - 20 demographic sufficiently profitable to justify that effort? I'm skeptical.
I really don’t see, from a business perspective, why memberships need to expand from 21+ to 18+. You must navigate additional compliance steps related to alcohol sales — and for what benefit? Is the 18 - 20 segment so profitable that it justifies the effort? I’m skeptical.
Businesses don’t reason the way we do.
They notice an extra dollar left unclaimed and think, “What are we waiting for? Grab that dollar!”
I really don't see, from a business perspective, the justification for expanding memberships from 21+ to 18+. You must undertake all those additional steps to comply with alcohol sales rules — and to what end? Is the 18 - 20 demographic so profitable that pursuing it makes sense? I'm highly skeptical.
Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.
I really don't understand from a business standpoint the need to expand memberships from 21+ to 18+. You have to go through all these extra steps to be in compliance from an alcohol sales perspective and for what? Is the 18 - 20 demographic so lucrative that it's worth it? I'm pretty doubtful.
When it comes to gambling? It might be! Lot of value to hookin' em early. But agreed, seems like a lot more risk.
I agree that adding 18-20 complicates alcohol service, but they still earn income from hourly seat charges and membership dues. If they forgo that here, competing venues permitting 18-20 will capture that portion of the market, along with groups who want to mix with the 18-20 player community.
There are 44,000 undergraduate students at UT Austin. Just guessing, that is 25,000 to 30,000 under 21. Tens of thousands of young college students is a pretty tempting prize to go for. More so if the other poker rooms in town are also in the mix.
The joint risk of alcohol service and under 21 gambling customers would be the big problem to me. TABC has enormous latitude on what is/isn't legal and how to enforce the law. They also get to "enforce" now "have trial later" meaning they can close you down today and have the trial in 2027, if they so choose.
Seems to me that the Lodge got too greedy, they could perhaps have safely served 18-21 year-old gamblers OR served alcohol but doing both proved a step too far -=- DrStrange
Is it acceptable to point out that the US permits children to lose money to gambling, potentially leading to debt and addiction, yet won’t let them have a beer until they are 21?
Slight tangent: gambling apps and their advertisements — particularly for sports betting — are awful. They profit so heavily that no reform will come until years later when people suddenly “discover” how harmful it is for everyone.
There are 44,000 undergraduate students at UT Austin. Just guessing, that is 25,000 to 30,000 under 21. Tens of thousands of young college students present a pretty tempting prize to target. Even more so if the other poker rooms in town are involved.
The combined risk of serving alcohol and having under 21 gambling customers would be the major issue for me. TABC has broad discretion over what is and isn’t legal and how to apply enforcement. They also have the ability to "enforce now, have trial later," meaning they can shut you down immediately and hold the trial in 2027, if they choose.
To me it seems the Lodge became too greedy; they might have safely served 18-21 year-old gamblers OR served alcohol, but doing both proved one step too far. -=- DrStrange
From those students’ viewpoint, it seems odd to think a poker hall would be the easiest place for underage drinking. There must be countless mixers and parties where alcohol flows freely.
I expect every poker hall will stop offering memberships to that age bracket. The extra rake isn’t worth a thing if you get raided and closed down.
@DrStrange (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/members/574/) doses Texas still require a certain 'percentage threshold' of food to alcohol sales?
I haven't seen anything reporting confiscation of gambling equipment or involvement of IRS, so could be as simple as a TABC licensing violation.
Maybe they had an undercover agent who was served without being asked for ID, and then they conducted the raid to ensure rules were being followed. I’m just speculating. In Virginia the ABC sends undercover agents to test whether bars and restaurants card for alcohol sales. The term “raid” sounds dramatic, but perhaps that’s how TABC addresses such situations. Also, given the money flow through an establishment like a cardroom, I’m sure they have a specific procedure for handling incidents like this.
Texas has different license categories: one where food is at least 51% of sales (often called a "restaurant" license) and another without a food-sales requirement (commonly called a "bar"). I don't believe a door charge or seating fees would count toward the 51% threshold, but only an attorney could answer that with certainty.
Yes — TABC frequently conducts sting operations by sending an underage decoy to attempt to buy alcohol. What happens after such an operation is at partly up to the agents' discretion. Immediate closure is uncommon for a first, straightforward offense, although it remains possible. TABC may also take action if agents conclude the establishment engaged in "moral turpitude," which can cover a wide range of conduct, including poker.
Perhaps the Lodge has a history of problems with serving minors. Perhaps this is an action against the liquor permit tied to poker activity (not asserting poker is illegal, but rather that it might be considered sufficiently improper to bar its occurrence in a licensed premises).
FWIW, I have applied for various Texas liquor permits and have a working familiarity with the rules — and their gaps. -=- DrStrange
Could it simply be they had an undercover who was served without being asked for ID, and then authorities raided to enforce standards? I don’t know — just speculating. In Virginia they send ABC undercover agents to check whether bars and restaurants card for alcohol. The term “raid” sounds dramatic, but maybe that’s how TABC handles such incidents. Also, given how money moves through a venue like a cardroom, I’m sure they respond in a particular manner.
I contacted a friend who’s worked in the bar business for many years to ask what might trigger a TABC raid. From his point of view, a raid is a very serious matter, more than occasional underage service. Typically when agents enter and someone is caught, you face a sizeable fine fairly quickly and often without a warrant.
Poker Atlas shows them as still temporarily closed.
@Anthony Martino (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/members/1159/) have you heard anything about Lodge?
I was only speculating. I agree a raid is more serious and likely points more toward improper or non‑compliant activity on the poker side of the operation.
Yup. A raid would indicate you were regarded as a public menace. Maybe for grossly over-serving patrons, knowingly serving minors, remaining open past legal hours, or for other criminal behavior occurring where alcohol was dispensed.
From my experience I didn't observe any other unusual illegal conduct; it always felt like a safe place for me to play. I didn't notice many extremely inebriated patrons, and with police present as and security I didn't witness fights inside or outside the venue. Maybe they were simply too lax about serving minors or perhaps their liquor licensing or setup wasn't current or sufficient for their operations. I'm not sure.
Yup. A raid would mean you are seen as a menace to the public. Maybe grossly over serving people, maybe serving minors with disregard to the law, serving after hours, or other criminal activity also taking place where alcohol is served.
From my experience I haven't seen any other odd illegal activity, it always felt like a safe place to play for me. Didn't see many overly drunk people, with police on hand as security I didn't see fights inside or outside the establishment. Maybe they were just serving too many minors too easily or maybe their liquor setup wasn't update to date or adequate for what they were doing. I'm not sure.
Or maybe it’s like in Donnie Brosco and they didn’t pay off the local police……
or perhaps it’s like Donnie Brasco — and they never bribed the nearby police…
There are different types of licenses in Texas, one where food is at least 51% of sales "restaurant" and one with no food requirements "bar". I don't think the door charge and seat fees would count towards the 51% threshold but only a lawyer could prudently answer that.
Yes, TABC commonly runs sting operations where they send in an underage shill to buy booze underage. How things proceed afterwards is at the discretion of the agents to an extent. Abrupt closure isn't common for a first-time basic offense, though it could be. TABC can also act if the agent believes the business has engaged in "moral turpitude". That can include a great many things, including poker.
Maybe the Lodge has had previous problems with underage service. Maybe this is a poker related action against the liquor license (not ruling the poker is illegal but that it is too immoral to allow poker to be played in a bar.)
FWIW, I have applied for various liquor permits in Texas and have a passing familiarity with the rules and the lack thereof -=- DrStrange
I've always wondered how any of these places operate with a TABC license at all. Has anything changed since this AG ruling saying that no licensee can allow hold 'em (or any other "game of chance") where the players wager anything of value? (https://www.tabc.texas.gov/static/sites/default/files/2020-07/attorney-general-opinion-poker-tournaments-0335.pdf)
The card rooms rely on 47.02 which isn’t addressed in that at all. I don’t know why change of heart. I could wildly guess but it’s based on not much. Maybe money/connections? Or maybe different stance on if you maintain three conditions in 47.02 the “defense from prosecution” means ”legal”?
Probably also worth noting many many counties and jurisdictions, especially those with lobbying interests from out of state casinos, do not recognize the card room model as legal and do not let them open.
The Lodge just wrapped up a big tournament series. Typically if they want to shut you down forever they hit when there's a cage full of final table money to confiscate.
This happened on a quiet Tuesday morning with only a couple of tables running. And quotes say players were told by cops they could cash in their chips when the business reopens.
One rumor was vlogger Corey Eyering brought a 19-year old viewer to play and had a video of that kid drinking and took it down. I don't know if this is true or not.
TABC leads me to believe it's related to serving liquor, but some comments mention computers were seized and it's something bigger.
Doug made a tweet saying he is still working on finding out the reason and will update when he knows.
The Lodge was 21+ for a long time. TCH Social was 18+ and eventually The Lodge matched it.
The Lodge has a separate restaurant and bar that serves the room but has its own public entrance.
They also have a tiny bar area inside the club proper.
TCH has a restaurant and bar inside the actual poker room.
TCH also hosted the Texas AG awhile back who was hunting for votes.
I'm no attorney, but since gambling is supposed to only take place in a private place not accessible to the general public, I would think the greater risk would be someone going into TCH just for the food.
The waitress isn't confirming your membership, security and the desk don't stop you and verify either.
A family of 5 with kids could go eat in the restaurant at TCH and not be members and likely have no issues from staff.
While they aren't gambling, they also aren't members of the private club and are next to the area where gambling takes place, which imo destroys the defense that the public can't access the area the gambling is taking place.
I heard they're planning to target Windy Crest Poker Room next.
Just got this email
To Our Valued Members,
As you may be seeing from news reports, state police and the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) executed a search warrant at The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock this past Tuesday morning.
Our attorneys are working to understand the reasons behind the search but at this time, the situation has not been explained to us. Our legal counsel has contacted the relevant authorities and hope to learn more but, in our view, we are operating with integrity, using all best practices, and for many years have been doing business in absolute accordance with Texas law.
This is obviously upsetting, and unfortunately, until this situation is fully understood, The Lodge Card Club is closed. As we cooperate with authorities to resolve this situation, please know we are doing everything possible to restore normal operations to include ensuring member assets are secure.
The Lodge is a community, and we greatly appreciate each of you and the support you have extended our way. THANK YOU for your patience and understanding. We hope to have this matter resolved quickly.
-The Lodge Management Team
Odd that they claim ignorance about the charges. If authorities obtain a search warrant, aren't they required to state its purpose?
AI Explains it All:
It definitely seems counterintuitive, but the Lodge's claim might actually be legally accurate in the short term. While a search warrant tells you what they are looking for, it doesn't always tell you why they are looking for it.
Based on the news from Tuesday (March 10, 2026), here is the breakdown of why there’s so much confusion and how the legal paperwork actually works in Texas:
The Search Warrant: Lists the address to be searched and the specific items to be seized (e.g., "computers," "financial records," "gambling ledgers").
The Affidavit: This is the "Why." It’s the sworn statement from an officer explaining the probable cause and the specific crimes they believe were committed.
The catch: In Texas, while the warrant is handed over during the raid, the affidavit can be sealed by a judge for up to 31 days (and extended further) if disclosure would "jeopardize the safety of a victim" or "cause the destruction of evidence." If the affidavit is sealed, the owners literally haven't been shown the evidence or the specific legal theory behind the raid yet.
Is it about Poker? Texas card rooms operate in a famous "legal gray area." If the raid was about illegal gambling, it would likely be a broader strike against the room's business model.
Is it about Alcohol? Since the TABC led the charge, it could be related to liquor license violations, "breach of peace," or financial irregularities specifically tied to their bar and restaurant operations.
Player Funds: Co-owner Doug Polk has publicly stated he is "personally guaranteeing" all player funds are safe, though the room remains closed and chips currently cannot be cashed out.
The Owners' Stance: Polk has called the investigation a "witch hunt" and claims he is still waiting on "additional information" before making a full statement.
Summary: If the search warrant affidavit was sealed by a judge, the owners are technically telling the truth—they know what was taken, but they haven't been allowed to see the official document that explains the "why."
I hear shut down at least a month maybe foever
All cash and computers seized
Per Poker.org
ALLEGED Money Laundering & Illegal Gambling (https://www.poker.org/latest-news/tabc-issues-statement-after-raid-on-the-lodge-poker-club-afq2k1n774MS)
Sounds like while initially the raid could have been triggered by something minor such as a liquor license violation it now could be used to put the Lodge under the microscope for all kinds of tests of the Texas gray area poker room laws. Hopefully it doesn't end badly. :sneaky:
Per Poker.org
ALLEGED Money Laundering & Illegal Gambling (https://www.poker.org/latest-news/tabc-issues-statement-after-raid-on-the-lodge-poker-club-afq2k1n774MS)
My guess is the alcohol element was a foot in the door to look at other stuff.
A lot of election stuff going on so this could either be part of a regular investigation or someone could be trying to flex.
Per Poker.org
ALLEGED Money Laundering & Illegal Gambling (https://www.poker.org/latest-news/tabc-issues-statement-after-raid-on-the-lodge-poker-club-afq2k1n774MS)
Oof.
at the moment no one has been charged as far as I'm aware. This is just an investigation presently. I don't believe Doug, Brad or Andrew would be involved in money laundering. That doesn't mean other elements didn't find their way into the room and do it via playing at the tables. Pretty common for criminals to do this in casinos as well.
Feline tussle?
I enjoy drama!
Cat fight?View attachment 1651175 (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/attachments/1651175/)
Anyone know what Dwan is alleging re. cheating?
The claim that it’s tied to money laundering makes this even more intriguing than it already was.
Catfight? See attachment 1651175 (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/attachments/1651175/)
That they're now claiming it's tied to money laundering makes it even more intriguing than before.
Clearly the Cubans were brought in to launder Polk's crypto funds and then Anthony ruined the whole operation...
The most recent
Former prosecutor here!
ducks to avoid object thrown at him
There probably won't be any significant updates anytime soon. Investigators just executed a search warrant, which indicates they're still in the investigative stage and unlikely to be close to charging anyone. Usually a search of this sort is done after taking all other reasonable steps short of "going overt" — once you execute a search, any potential subject becomes aware they’re under scrutiny.
The team will still need to review all the seized materials and pursue any leads or investigative avenues that arise from them.
It's possible the Lodge itself isn't facing severe exposure and that the focus is on particular employees. Casinos have long been attractive places for criminals to try to "clean" illicit funds by converting money into chips, doing some performative gambling, cashing out and leaving with ostensibly clean cash (that’s a simplification).
My sense is that because Texas card rooms operate in a legal gray area, they lack the close ties to gaming enforcement seen in other states. Typically, casinos actively work to stop people trying to launder money because they want to avoid legal risk and threats to their license. But without a state gaming commission in Texas, that continuous coordination may be missing.
TL;DR: We probably won't hear any meaningful developments for months.
It seems pretty wild that they are saying we don’t have proof of you doing anything wrong yet but you can’t operate until we either do or we don’t find evidence
It seems pretty wild that they are saying we don’t have proof of you doing anything wrong yet but you can’t operate until we either do or we don’t find evidence
Well there definitely is some type of proof, because they would have to establish probable cause for the search to get the warrant signed by a judge. The issues right now is that when you are the target of the search/owner of the property, you just get a copy of the signed warrant which mentioned the violated law and what they are looking for and allowed to seize. You don't get the affidavit that law enforcement submitted that contains all the details of the investigation. That usually remains sealed by the court until you get charged and at that point the government turns it over. The delay is because the affidavit discusses ongoing investigative steps/tactics, identifies witnesses, etc....and they don't want subject trying to interfere/intimidate.
I posted this in other threads before, but it is such a clusterfuck in Texas right now legally with these cardrooms. It is absurd that nothing has been done to definitively set a legal standard despite the fact that cardrooms started popping up over a decade ago.
They should just legalize and regulate it so we can get some Paulson chips in play. Not saying most players would be willing to spend that upfront costs but hopefully some will. Bring in the age of Paulsns from Texas!
They should simply legalize and regulate it so Paulson chips could be used. I’m not claiming most players would pay those upfront costs, but hopefully some would. Welcome the era of Paulsons from Texas!
I don’t know — even the Wynn recently reordered Sunfly card-mold chips for their latest tournament poker set, and before that the other recent tournament set used Chipco.
They should just legalize and regulate it so we can get some Paulson chips in play. Not saying most players would be willing to spend that upfront costs but hopefully some will. Bring in the age of Paulsns from Texas!
There's a reason Champions in Houston just loses money each year limping along with a couple of cash games/day. Knighted Ventures, the company behind them, is betting on gambling becoming legalized. They just want a foothold in the state where they can show they've been operating without taking rake for multiple years so they'll have a shot at a casino license to flip the property into is what I've been told.
They also won a legal battle to get themselves into the Dallas market as well.
How long it'll take for all of this to actually happen is anyones guess, but there's definitely deep pockets working towards ensuring they can get established in the state in the future
I don’t even know — the Wynn simply reordered Sunfly card-mold chips for their latest tournament poker set, and prior to that the other recent tournament set used Chipco.
I’ve heard that working with GPI/Paulson can be slow, where you end up chasing them down instead of them being responsive to buyers.
Year over year, discussion about legalizing gambling in Texas appears to gain momentum. It’s preferable to regulate it here rather than watch that money keep flowing into Louisiana and Oklahoma. It won’t occur rapidly, but I believe it will happen eventually.
I suspect they're concentrating on the high-roller games where money laundering would be more likely. I wouldn't expect the 1/2 or 1/3 tables to be targeted, given how low the buy-ins are. It would take a small army of frequent players to make a meaningful difference.
Year over year it seems the conversation of legalizing gambling in Texas continues to build momentum. Better to control it here than seeing that money continue to be funneled into Louisiana and Oklahoma. Yes it’s not going to happen quickly but I think it’ll happen eventually
And obviously the interests inside Oklahoma and Louisiana are pouring money into politicians to maintain the status quo
I suspect it's the high-roller games that attract scrutiny for potential money laundering. I wouldn't expect the 1/2 or 1/3 games to be the focus, since their buy-ins are so low. It would take a small army of frequent players to make any meaningful effect.
Maybe some individuals who've appeared on high-stakes livestreams are under investigation instead of the owners.
Maybe some individuals appearing on high-stakes livestreams are the ones under investigation, not the channel owners
Yeah. That also seems common among HCL attendees
It is a big deal to have bank accounts and assets frozen, the business forced closed. Strip away "innocent until proven guilty" while awaiting trial and realize the seizure, freeze and closure is effectively a corporate death. No wages paid, no rent paid, no utilities ---> no staff and no premises. It is not clear that the Lodge could reopen even if the authorities relented tomorrow. Secondarily, anyone who is a creditor including people with chips in hand and/or money being held by the Lodge is at risk of a partial or total loss.
The Lodge in San Antonio remains open. Maybe the two venues aren't related? I guess there is some reason to think the legal problems at the Lodge in Austin might not be a "poker" problem. Even so, it is hard to imagine the legal problems in Austin stay local.
No trial needed, the Lodge in Austin is dead unless the administrative holds on the business end ASAP. As for Poker in Texas? Let's call it cautiously optimistic -=- DrStrange
Just got this email
To Our Valued Members,
CoinFLEX anyone...
Oof.
Well, it could have been customers engaging in money laundering, but if it occurred at the Lodge and involved Lodge chips, then the Lodge could still bear responsibility.
Also, if the membership fees are found to be a sham or a workaround to facilitate gambling activity, that could strengthen a money-laundering argument.
These laws and charges are not always as straightforward as they appear. In many cases, it comes down to interpretation, perspective, and how aggressively someone wants to pursue the issue.
https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/03/the-lodge-poker-club-raid-search-warrant-poker-50836.htm
The affidavit has revealed the following five accounts that are alleged to be in violation of the laws of the State of Texas:
Texas Penal Code 71.02(a) - ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
Texas Penal Code 34.02 - MONEY LAUNDERING
Texas Penal Code 47.03 - PROMOTION OF GAMBLING
Texas Penal Code 47.04 - KEEPING A GAMBLING PLACE
Texas Penal Code 47.06 - POSSESSION OF GAMBLING DEVICE, EQUIPMENT OR PARAPHERNALIA
https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/03/the-lodge-poker-club-raid-search-warrant-poker-50836.htm
The affidavit identifies five accounts that are accused of violating Texas state law:
Texas Penal Code 71.02(a) - ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
Texas Penal Code 34.02 - MONEY LAUNDERING
Texas Penal Code 47.03 - PROMOTION OF GAMBLING
Texas Penal Code 47.04 - KEEPING A GAMBLING PLACE
Texas Penal Code 47.06 - POSSESSION OF GAMBLING DEVICE, EQUIPMENT OR PARAPHERNALIA
Damn… RIP The Lodge
I'd like, just once, to read about a Texas poker room that isn't linked to any scandal.
Damn… RIP The Lodge
Judging from the charges, this might have broader repercussions for club poker across Texas.
https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/03/the-lodge-poker-club-raid-search-warrant-poker-50836.htm
The affidavit lists five charges that are claimed to violate Texas state law:
Texas Penal Code 71.02(a) - ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
Texas Penal Code 34.02 - MONEY LAUNDERING
Texas Penal Code 47.03 - PROMOTION OF GAMBLING
Texas Penal Code 47.04 - KEEPING A GAMBLING PLACE
Texas Penal Code 47.06 - POSSESSION OF GAMBLING DEVICE, EQUIPMENT OR PARAPHERNALIA
I haven’t read the full affidavit, but the PokerNews write-up makes it sound like the focus is simply that these card clubs are operating illegally. Based on that summary, there doesn’t appear to be any alleged wrongdoing beyond that. It raises doubts about how sustainable the “membership” model is.
https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/03/the-lodge-poker-club-raid-search-warrant-poker-50836.htm
The affidavit has revealed the following five accounts that are alleged to be in violation of the laws of the State of Texas:
Texas Penal Code 71.02(a) - ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
Texas Penal Code 34.02 - MONEY LAUNDERING
Texas Penal Code 47.03 - PROMOTION OF GAMBLING
Texas Penal Code 47.04 - KEEPING A GAMBLING PLACE
Texas Penal Code 47.06 - POSSESSION OF GAMBLING DEVICE, EQUIPMENT OR PARAPHERNALIA
The “money laundering” appears to just be them operating a business account for what state agents are now treating as an illegal card clubs being.
Yea there's not much in the article that just points to and screams illegal other than how they interpret card rooms. One quote from the article says one agent wasn't asked about membership, however that's what you're paying at the front desk before you can even play. You pay for a membership either week or month and prepay some seat charges before you get chips and sit on the table.
Instead of taking rake, these rooms charge membership and seat fees. But The Lodge Card Club, along with money laundering suspicion, is also under investigation for illegal gambling. The undercover agents made note of the membership process required to play at The Lodge.
Agent Teague, upon leaving the club, informed other TABC agents that "he was never asked about providing proof of, or the need to purchase a membership while inside the club," the affidavit reads. However, it was also noted that other agents were informed they must purchase a membership when they entered a game.
The deposit slips look like players wiring money up front to later receive chips to play. Would they have accepted someone walking in with 200k in cash instead? I don’t see how they linked that to illegal money laundering. Maybe their case rests on no validation or proof of membership before taking the money and exchanging it for chips?
I expected the report to describe other forms of gambling in back rooms or the like. I’ve never witnessed anything like that, but I wasn’t searching for anything other than a solid poker game.
Agent Teague, when exiting the club, told other TABC agents that "he was never asked about providing proof of, or the need to purchase a membership while inside the club," the affidavit states. However, it was also recorded that other agents were told they had to buy a membership when they entered a game.
This is one problem I observe with how these clubs are organized. Gambling is illegal unless it takes place in a private location not open to the general public.
Yet most clubs let you simply walk in, roam freely, and go anywhere without any process to prevent entry or confirm a membership.
That could undermine the legal requirement that the venue be "not accessible to the public."
Looking at the new TCH location, a family with kids could easily walk in and sit in the dining area with the huge multi-screen TV next to the poker floor and never be asked about memberships.
In my view, there should be a controlled entrance that checks memberships before people access the gaming area.
Yeah, they're screwed. Someone likely spotted on a live stream cash being handed over for chips between players. That's a big no-no.
This is one of the problems I notice with how these clubs are organized. Gambling is illegal unless it takes place in a private area not open to the general public.
Yet most clubs you can simply stroll into and roam around, able to go anywhere without any system to prevent access or confirm membership.
That could undermine the "not accessible to the public" requirement in the law.
Looking at the new TCH location, a family with kids could just walk in and sit in the dining area with the huge multi-screen TV, right next to the poker floor, and never be asked about membership.
There should be a closed entrance that checks memberships before people reach the gaming floor, in my view.
Even Costco seems to have that process figured out.
I mean, even Costco seems to have this figured out.
And Costco isn't even selling stuff that is required to not be accessible to the public!
And Costco isn't even offering items that must legally be restricted from the general public!
I suspect they're mostly doing it to prevent the confusion when someone tries to check out without a membership, but it's a very reasonable observation.
I’m wondering how TCH will handle this situation. Were they subject to a similar undercover probe during the same period? Have they been, or are they, stricter about membership rules than the Lodge used to be and is now?
To be frank, with the Lodge being taken down like this, I’d expect additional affidavits and warrants targeting other card rooms to follow.
Anytime I've played at TCH, carrying your players card was required. They scanned it when you checked in at the front to assign a table and the dealer at the table asks so it could scan and load your profile into your seat. If you didn't have your card, staff would look you up by your license and then print a replacement card for you to use.
Like Anthony says, you aren't prevented from entering the gaming or bar area if you don't show your card. Players often take short breaks and step outside for things like smoke breaks before returning to the table, so people go in and out frequently. I think requiring everyone to scan their card before reentering would be reasonable and would address some worries about memberships not being enforced or verified.
Anytime I've played at TCH, having your players card was required. They scanned it when you checked in at the front to assign a table and the dealer at the table asks so it could scan and load your profile into your seat. If you didn't have your card, they would find you by your license and then print a replacement card for you to use.
Like Anthony mentions, though, you're not blocked from entering the playing or bar area if you don't show your card. Players frequently step away for short breaks or go outside for a smoke and then come back to the table, so people are moving in and out regularly. Requiring everyone to scan their card before reentering would make sense and help address concerns about memberships not being enforced or verified.
I could simply hand my card to a nonmember and they could still scan to get in. You'd need someone to confirm that the person using the card is actually the member.
Then the feds would use twins to get around that lol
I could simply give my card to a non-member and they could still scan it. You'd need someone to verify that the person using the card is the actual member.
Then the feds use twins to get around that, lol.
Stop thinking like a criminal!
I was going to suggest a kiosk that displays the person’s photo, but your example involving twins already defeats my proposed vetting workflow… lol
stop thinking like a criminal!
I was going to say a kiosk which pulls up the person's picture but your usage of twins already circumvented my vetting workflow.. lol
I worked in Logistics for 15+ years, always dialing down to the details
I could just hand my card to a non member and they could still scan through. You'd need someone verifying the perdon using the card is the actual member.
Then the feds use twins to circumvent that lol
I don’t think this is a legitimate challenge to the private/public. I can think of many private access controlled places I had membership privileges that did not also require photo ID. HOA pool/gym. Apartment complex parking garage. Office building. Just a card scanner is common.
The lax access control which is primarily only enforced at poker varies place to place but is a bigger issue. TCH Dallas is great about it. Everyone checked at front. TCH Las Colinas the desk it’s more interior so risk. Could be improved.
I don’t think this is a legitimate challenge to the private/public. I can think of many private access controlled places I had membership privileges that did not also require photo ID. HOA pool/gym. Apartment complex parking garage. Office building. Just a card scanner is common.
The lax access control which is primarily only enforced at poker varies place to place but is a bigger issue. TCH Dallas is great about it. Everyone checked at front. TCH Las Colinas the desk it’s more interior so risk. Could be improved.
An HOA pool/gym isn't providing a service that is otherwise illegal if it's not kept private though.
Comparing apples to oranges.
It may be the sweeps account being comingled with the poker clubs being a concern the money is being moved around to hide/launder
Isn’t the owner of the Dallas mavericks trying to get casinos into Texas? That was the conspiracy why they traded Luka. To do LA and NBA a favor. Didn’t dig too deep in it but…
Isn’t the owner of the Dallas mavericks trying to get casinos into Texas? That was the conspiracy why they traded Luka. To do LA and NBA a favor. Didn’t dig too deep in it but…
There's a LOT of outsidd interest in bringing casinos into Texas
In Maryland, years ago nearly every pool hall featured illegal yet fairly openly visible slot and poker machines. I always figured the local police were getting some kind of kickback. Those machines had been in place for decades. Then, once casino licenses were granted, the places were suddenly raided and closed down.
There's a LOT of outsidd interest in bringing casinos into Texas
And we all know casinos are doing great things for poker rooms now days...... :whistle: :whistling:
And we all know casinos are doing wonders for poker rooms these days...... :whistle: :whistling:
Yup, $6 rake and $2 jackpot drops, oof
Yup, $6 rake and $2 jackpot drops, ooof
Until they do the math and decide slots will fit in that nice big room and bring a much better margin...... :cautious:
I have been active is Texas politics since the 1980's. I have seen this story play out when the legislature meets - once every two years. Each time there is a big effort to authorize gambling of some sort. Lottery, dog & horse racing and casino gambling. (Poker gets a tiny effort - someone files a bill then it gets set aside and never considered in committee.)
We have the lottery here. Texas also has racing, but its marginally profitable at best. I don't recall ever getting a casino bill through committee, past the Lt. Governor/Speaker and onto the floor for a vote on either side of the legislature. Not likely to happen in 2027. Lots of speculation will take place but that will be it.
Don't count on the Texas Legislature to save Texas poker. They are at best indifferent, at worst openly hostile.
Eking out an existence hiding in a gray area of the law was about the only way for profit poker rooms could happen. And even then, we needed local and state law enforcement to turn a blind eye. If the AG is coming to close down poker in Texas, I expect him to succeed. But the AG is leaving office to run for Senate in 2026. He will be replaced at the end of the year. -=- DrStrange
$1.35M in deposits over two months is hardly eeking out an existence.
https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/03/the-lodge-poker-club-raid-search-warrant-poker-50836.htm
Clearly, interests in Oklahoma and Louisiana are funneling cash to politicians to preserve the status quo.
Where do you suppose Texas is hiding their money?
I still don’t understand. 700k/month in revenue fits their business model well. That’s the membership fees assuming they average 10 tables in operation. A significant share of the revenue is received in cash. Legitimate businesses deposit real cash income into business accounts. It increasingly sounds like someone simply wanted it closed down.
I still don’t get it. 700k/month revenue is very consistent with their business model. Thats the membership fees if they average 10 tables running. A large portion of the revenue is paid in cash. Legal businesses deposit genuine cash revenue into business accounts. Sounds more and more like someone just wanted it shut down
I think it was mentioned that the money was being transferred from The Lodge to a bank account related to a sweeps machine business. Perhaps it's an issue of comingling of funds between separate entities that is making it look like they're trying to obfuscate the money?
I think it was mentioned that the money was being transferred from The Lodge to a bank account related to a sweeps machine business. Perhaps it's an issue of comingling of funds between separate entities that is making it look like they're trying to obfuscate the money?
These are pretty standard I think, let’s businesses get interest income on their cash they keep in business account. Nothing to do with a sweepstakes online poker or anything like that. Just named similarly
https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/t...w-they-work-and-their-benefits-for-businesses (https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/treasury/receivables/sweep-accounts-how-they-work-and-their-benefits-for-businesses)
I still don’t get it. 700k/month revenue is very consistent with their business model. Thats the membership fees if they average 10 tables running. A large portion of the revenue is paid in cash. Legal businesses deposit genuine cash revenue into business accounts. Sounds more and more like someone just wanted it shut down
Yup. It’s a cash business. ATF is saying their business is illegal, therefore the cash is all illegal. Not a good sign for Texas poker.
Dave thinks he’s operating legally so all of his financials will be transparent and all that money is now “illegsl” and recorded. I expect the lodge to shut down, Dave to plead out, and idk if people get their money or not tbh.
Yup. It’s a cash business. ATF is saying their business is illegal, therefore the cash is all illegal. Not a good sign for Texas poker.
Dave thinks he’s operating legally so all of his financials will be transparent and all that money is now “illegsl” and recorded. I expect the lodge to shut down, Dave to plead out, and idk if people get their money or not tbh.
yea. As it stands doesn’t look like lodge was doing anything particularly unique. At least evidence I’ve seen. My guess is someone wants Texas poker shut down and started with the lodge, or someone wants certain Texas poker to have less competition. There is a WSOP event down the street from them in a month. Will be interesting to see if it proceeds.
https://www.wsop.com/tournaments/2026-wsop-circuit-texas-card-house/
I think these are fairly standard — they allow businesses to earn interest on the cash held in their business accounts. They have nothing to do with online poker sweepstakes or anything similar. They’re just named in a similar way.
https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/t...w-they-work-and-their-benefits-for-businesses (https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/treasury/receivables/sweep-accounts-how-they-work-and-their-benefits-for-businesses)
Yes, sweep accounts are entirely normal for any business that holds cash.
Doug ought to have invested everything in crypto... oh hold on... :sneaky:
How does this affect the other poker rooms and clubs across Texas — have any of them commented on the situation?
What implications does this have for the other poker rooms and clubs across Texas — have any of them commented on the matter?
If they’re still operating, I’d go and cash out my chips.
What implications does this have for the other poker rooms and clubs across Texas — have any of them commented on the development?
There's a strong possibility they'll begin to shut down. Terrible news for that resort they constructed. Champions Club?
Good chance they start to go down. Awful news for that resort they built. Champions club?
Palace Poker too, I had plans to visit that spot this year.
Just like @Frogzilla (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/members/3731/) was saying, TCH is scheduled to host a WSOP event towards the end of next month so we're all really curious to see how that pans out.
I've never made a habit of taking chips home to cash out later. Even with my small buyins and cash outs it was always better to have cash in hand before leaving (or just leaving my buyins on the table lol).
I never got into the habit of taking chips home to redeem later. Even with modest buy-ins and cash-outs, I preferred to have actual cash before walking away (or sometimes just leave my buy-ins on the table, lol).
Yeah, that's normally my approach too. I dislike leaving a table holding cash or chips — it's safer to let someone else deal with them.
That’s generally my approach too. I dislike abandoning a table with money or chips left behind — better to have someone else take over.
There’s always a seat available for you lol
I'd cash out my chips if those accounts are still active
It's truly unfortunate, but you likely have the correct assessment.
But let’s play selfish chip collectors for a minute. Do any of these card rooms use Paulson chips that we might be able to obtain?
But let’s be selfish chippers for a moment. Do any of these card rooms use Paulson chips we can get our hands on??
No gaming license, no clay.
But let’s be selfish chippers for a moment. Do any of these card rooms use Paulson chips we can get our hands on??
They are mostly crappy ceramics that love to stick together.
But let’s be selfish chippers for a moment. Do any of these card rooms use Paulson chips we can get our hands on??
Nope, they cheap out on crappy ceramics
Hello! I have never been a forum member before, .... collect pretty exclusively illegal club chips.
@SBHistory (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/members/16204/) Looks like you have many many new chips to collect. Every TX cardroom is probabaly illegal now.
No gaming license, no clay.
Tell that to @TheChipVault (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/members/1821/) ;)
Palace Poker too, I had plans to visit that spot this year.
Palace poker is hosting the rungood tournament series starting tomorrow. Still on as far as I’ve heard.
And the room…I went for a deuce game last week. It’s a nice room. Really upscale vibes. Probably significant buildout costs.
Thought-provoking breakdown from Todd Witteles (Poker Fraud Alert) in his Twitter thread
Palace poker is running the rungood tournament series beginning tomorrow. Still on as far as I’ve heard.
And the room… I stopped by for a deuce game last week. It’s a nice space. Really upscale atmosphere. Probably considerable build-out cost.
If you head to Palace, message me — it’s a short drive and a fun spot.
If you come down to Palace, hit me up, it's a short drive away and a fun room.
Playing the $250 tourney tonight. Hope to see you
Trying/hoping/manifesting to see if I can sneak away Wednesday afternoon 3/26 for TORSE but dunno. Starts at 10 AM but reg usually 3-4 hrs.
Expected and total bummer for the locals
When we embarked on this path, there were no assurances—only conviction, perseverance, and a collective promise to create something meaningful. Amid early obstacles, we found our stride together. We formed bonds, earned trust, and shaped a place that was more than a business. It became a community—because of you.
Each of you helped bring that vision into reality. From the front desk to the porters, dealers, managers, and production staff—every detail, every interaction, every long hour and late night contributed to something genuinely special. You made this place what it was. Not the building, not the brand—you.
That is why it is so painful to announce that The Lodge Round Rock location must close its doors for the foreseeable future. While no charges have been filed, and we maintain that the club has always conducted itself with the highest integrity and within Texas law, the Williamson County District Attorney’s office has informed our attorneys that they believe The Lodge’s current business model does not comply with Texas statutes. For that reason, we cannot reopen. Doing so would risk another raid on The Lodge, the seizure of more cash and assets, and possible arrests. Because we have not been given any timeline for when the investigation will end, we have no viable path forward at this time. As a result, we are compelled to make the unbearably difficult choice to let our entire staff go. We want you to know how valued each of you are, and as we hope for a favorable resolution; if we are ever able to reopen, our intention would be to welcome you back with open arms.
There are no words that fully express how much this pains me—not just as a business decision, but on a personal level. I am profoundly grateful for everything you have given, and I will carry it with me always. You didn’t just come to work—you built something that mattered.
As we now face the hard work of deciding what comes next, please know that you have my respect, my gratitude, and my heartfelt thanks. I hope you take pride in what we created together, because it was real and it was special.
I will miss you all more than I can say.
With a heavy heart,
Jason Levin
Very sad. I hope they can reopen later on.
Very sad. I hope they can reopen later on.
He’s not even fighting it. Seems like this is the state’s stance.
He’s not even fighting it. Seems like this is the state’s stance.
I wouldn’t operate either when you’re stuck in a state of limbo. Too much to lose and potential more issues for customers
This is in Williamson county too. Travis county is the one where Austin is, Williamson is a north of Travis and has always been tougher.
There is some good news here.
The offended jurisdiction appears to be Williamson County. Not the state AG and not other district attorneys from large urban areas. The damage is limited at the moment anyway.
The Lodge is unlikely to fight this to a legal conclusion in a trial due to costs and the risk of incarceration. Some sort of coercive plea bargain will happen. So there will not be a jury finding this form of for-profit poker is illegal.
We will need to wait and see but it seems like this is a local problem rather than a problem for every card house in Texas.
Can't feel too sorry for the owners of the Lodge. Williamson County has a reputation for taking a Conservative, more authoritarian approach to criminality. They went into the bear den knowing there was an outsized legal risk. -=- DrStrange
Lodge states they are "Closed for the Foreseeable Future", employees told they have been laid off.
PokerNews Article (https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/03/lodge-card-club-shutting-doors-employees-laid-off-50879.htm)
Shut down.
https://www.reddit.com/r/poker/comments/1s2rej3/the_lodge_round_rock_closes_lets_go_of_entire
Just let the people play poker man, very sad news.
Quite honestly, I'm not terribly surprised this happened and am actually very surprised it took this long.
I'm taming my comments here as they would start to tiptoe into territory that's better served in the politics subforum, but I also don't discuss politics in general as nobody wins those arguments. I'll try to keep these thoughts as apolitical as I can, but unfortunately they might lean that way, and for that I apologize.
This is a case where the owners of the Lodge (and every other cardroom like these in Texas or elsewhere) knew they are walking on a legal tightrope, or better example a slackline, with respect to what they are allowed to legally do in their respective jurisdictions. One magistrate or constable who is willing to 'look the other way' for whatever reason are they only reason they were open at all. There are sufficient people in power who see gaming of any form as evil or bad for society and will do whatever they can to stop it.
The ownership at the Lodge chose to walk that slackline. They understood the technicalities of the rules of law in their particular location and made it work, and work well, for quite a while.
To make that location more attractive to their user-base, they offered additional benefits that others either did not or were unwilling to offer.
That drew additional attention to their operation, positive and negative.
In what appears to be a mis-step on their part, intentional or otherwise, they slipped on the slackline. Maybe not even a mis-step. Maybe it was a case where the 'wrong' person happened to be looking at that moment and that was all it took.
When one treads the fine-line of what is legal or acceptable in the location where they happen to be and a mis-step happens, you're going to fall off the line. What might be prefectly accptable in one place is completely out of line in another.
Is this unfortunate? Absolutely. Doug Polk and the ownership at the Lodge were providing something to a user-group (poker players) that the state and legislature are unwilling to allow (a means by which to play poker that's not a home-game).
Is there anything wrong with this (playing poker)? It will always depend on who you ask. For those of us here in this forum, I seriously doubt anyone here will say it's an issue or a problem, ethically or morally. The bigger issue is there are enough people outside this forum who do, and they are able put people in a position of power to enforce their sense of ethics and morality on others.
I'm disappointed that this is what has happened to the Lodge, but I'm also very surprised it took this long for the place to get shut down. I'm afraid it's not going to take too long until other locations either close voluntarily or get shut down for a 'violation' that has nothing to do with poker or card games, but are sufficient to force ownership to shut the doors.
Until there is a uniform and legal means for poker to be played in a public location without interference, this story will continue to be replayed. Someone in Texas tried the experiment of doing so on the thin line of "legality", and one little bump was enough to upset the whole train. Unfortunately, this won't help the cause of those of us who want to see regular and routine legal poker in this country. Those who don't want to see that happen want that more than those who do.
[As an aside, I feel like I've seen this story play out before. Well over a decade ago, maybe a decade and a half now, the only poker games that were allowed in the casinos in Arizona by the tribal gaming commissions(s) were limit games. I cut my teeth on 2/4 and 3/6 limit hold'em and the local tribal casinos and still enjoy those games and at that level. However, at the peak of the poker boom, everyone wanted to play no-limit like they saw on TV. There was a small group that opened a "club" style poker room only a couple blocks down the street from my office that had something like a $5/day membership fee and ran quite a few tables of different stakes no-limit games.
I don't know what it was but the place never felt terribly inviting to me. A rather bare room, overhead fluorescent lighting with a soda fountain in the corner and vending machine for 'perks'. Despite seeing less "go to the house" than at the tribals, I only played there once and briefly at that. It just didn't feel right.
They remaind open for a few months with a steady flow of traffic in the place, but one day I drove past and saw the lights were off and the place was empty. It turns out they had gotten a little too greedy and started pulling a per-hand rake on top of the 'mebership fee". The gaming commission had been sending folks in there routinely but also on the down-low to make sure things were still above board, but once the rake started being taken by the house, it was game over at that point.
That location now sells discount furniture aimed at students at the University a few miles down the road.]
[EDIT - Spelling and phrasing]
Quite honestly, I'm not terribly surprised this happened and am actually very surprised it took this long.
I'm taming my comments here as they would start to tiptoe into territory that's better served in the politics subforum, but I also don't discuss politics in general as nobody wins those arguments. I'll try to keep these thoughts as apolitical as I can, but unfortunately they might lean that way, and for that I apologize.
This is a case where the owners of the Lodge (and every other cardroom like these in Texas or elsewhere) knew they are walking on a legal tightrope, or better example a slackline, with respect to what they are allowed to legally do in their respective jurisdictions. One magistrate or constable who is willing to 'look the other way' for whatever reason are they only reason they were open at all. There are sufficient people in power who see gaming of any form as evil or bad for society and will do whatever they can to stop it.
The ownership at the Lodge chose to walk that slackline. They understood the technicalities of the rules of law in their particular location and made it work, and work well, for quite a while.
To make that location more attractive to their user-base, they offered additional benefits that others either did not or were unwilling to offer.
That drew additional attention to their operation, positive and negative.
In what appears to be a mis-step on their part, intentional or otherwise, they slipped on the slackline. Maybe not even a mis-step. Maybe it was a case where the 'wrong' person happened to be looking at that moment and that was all it took.
When one treads the fine-line of what is legal or acceptable in the location where they happen to be and a mis-step happens, you're going to fall off the line. What might be prefectly accptable in one place is completely out of line in another.
Is this unfortunate? Absolutely. Doug Polk and the ownership at the Lodge were providing something to a user-group (poker players) that the state and legislature are unwilling to allow (a means by which to play poker that's not a home-game).
Is there anything wrong with this (playing poker)? It will always depend on who you ask. For those of us here in this forum, I seriously doubt anyone here will say it's an issue or a problem, ethically or morally. The bigger issue is there are enough people outside this forum who do, and they are able put people in a position of power to enforce their sense of ethics and morality on others.
I'm disappointed that this is what has happened to the Lodge, but I'm also very surprised it took this long for the place to get shut down. I'm afraid it's not going to take too long until other locations either close voluntarily or get shut down for a 'violation' that has nothing to do with poker or card games, but are sufficient to force ownership to shut the doors.
Until there is a uniform and legal means for poker to be played in a public location without interference, this story will continue to be replayed. Someone in Texas tried the experiment of doing so on the thin line of "legality", and one little bump was enough to upset the whole train. Unfortunately, this won't help the cause of those of us who want to see regular and routine legal poker in this country. Those who don't want to see that happen want that more than those who do.
[As an aside, I feel like I've seen this story play out before. Well over a decade ago, maybe a decade and a half now, the only poker games that were allowed in the casinos in Arizona by the tribal gaming commissions(s) were limit games. I cut my teeth on 2/4 and 3/6 limit hold'em and the local tribal casinos and still enjoy those games and at that level. However, at the peak of the poker boom, everyone wanted to play no-limit like they saw on TV. There was a small group that opened a "club" style poker room only a couple blocks down the street from my office that had something like a $5/day membership fee and ran quite a few tables of different stakes no-limit games.
I don't know what it was but the place never felt terribly inviting to me. A rather bare room, overhead fluorescent lighting with a soda fountain in the corner and vending machine for 'perks'. Despite seeing less "go to the house" than at the tribals, I only played there once and briefly at that. It just didn't feel right.
They remaind open for a few months with a steady flow of traffic in the place, but one day I drove past and saw the lights were off and the place was empty. It turns out they had gotten a little too greedy and started pulling a per-hand rake on top of the 'mebership fee". The gaming commission had been sending folks in there routinely but also on the down-low to make sure things were still above board, but once the rake started being taken by the house, it was game over at that point.
That location now sells discount furniture aimed at students at the University a few miles down the road.]
[EDIT - Spelling and phrasing]
TLDR?
They fucked up
TL;DR?
They screwed up.
The question is how. What precisely distinguishes The Lodge card rooms from the other prominent rooms in Texas?
The question is how? What exactly separates The Lodge card rooms from the other well-known rooms in Texas?
How well known and popular they were in the most popular city
Alcohol on premise even with 18 to get in
They were the bullseye/target. Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. Well said @AlbinoDragon (https://www.pokerchipforum.com/members/361/)
The Lodge operates in Williamson County. These charges do not appear to be brought by the State of Texas, they appear locally sourced. TABC has wildly different rules depending on where you are, who the local officer(s) is(are) and who you are. It should be noted the charges as we know them have nothing to say about underage service or other violation of the rules governing booze in bars and restaurants. I am not a lawyer. It could be liquor violations are implied in the charges.
No other well-known poker club is domiciled in Willaimson county that I am aware of. We have seen similar sorts of legal action in the Dallas area for years. But nowhere else.
As noted above; this is a legal grey area. It isn't an accident that the laws were drafted this way. The locals have wide latitude in how to read the law and how to enforce it. The Lodge in Austin might be the only entity charged. Or the first of several or many.
We will just have to wait and see. -=- DrStrange
Additional details about the case -
since the owners are public personalities, who apparently derive a large part of their income or net worth from viewership, I’d really like to see how this resolves for their staff.
I can’t stand workplaces that trot out “we’re a family.” It’s all BS rhetoric. Is everyone receiving 6 months’ pay and relocation packages? If you’re hiring relatives in a legally gray business, surely there were built-in safety nets for the workforce? Were investors told that x% would be retained from operations, overhead, etc., to fund an emergency exit for employees?
If not, people have reason to be mad.
Morals and ethics don’t come free, but words do.
I have no idea why people are building out poker rooms in TX when the law is so vague and unclear.
(2) no person received any economic benefit other than personal winnings; and
How is charging membership access to a club which, let's be honest, 99.47% of people are paying for just to play poker, not an "economic benefit other than personal winnings"?
Seems like it might legally be an easier sell if your "club" had other entertainment offerings, like a gym, pool hall, basketball court, etc. But when it's only 12 poker tables with a bar and a couple of TVs on the wall, it seems like you're "economically benefiting" off gambling/poker and just asking for trouble.
There are plenty of places that fully welcome poker. Why you'd want to dick around with gray area nonsense (and millions of invested dollars on the line), is beyond me.
Why you'd want to dick around with gray area nonsense (and millions of invested dollars on the line), is beyond me.
Gamblers wish to gamble to make more money. More at 11.
Even if no charges are ever filed, I would expect any seized money to be gone. Unless the owners intend to reimburse players from their own pockets, it’s unlikely the state will return funds deemed illegally obtained (in breach of current gray‑area state and especially ABC rules).
Seems like everyone got overly comfortable and grew lax about strictly following the private‑club restrictions. Yep, the laws are vague as — enough to encourage selective enforcement, and anyone who opens or runs a room in Texas knows that going in..... one big gamble....
I feel sorry for the employees.... the owners will weather this with a bit of tarnished reputation, but they made their profit.
And it’s only a matter of time before it happens again.
I have no idea why people are building out poker rooms in TX when the law is so vague and unclear.
How is charging membership access to a club which, let's be honest, 99.47% of people are paying for just to play poker, not an "economic benefit other than personal winnings"?
Seems like it might legally be an easier sell if your "club" had other entertainment offerings, like a gym, pool hall, basketball court, etc. But when it's only 12 poker tables with a bar and a couple of TVs on the wall, it seems like you're "economically benefiting" off gambling/poker and just asking for trouble.
There are plenty of places that fully welcome poker. Why you'd want to dick around with gray area nonsense (and millions of invested dollars on the line), is beyond me.
They can’t afford to move into a new house in a friendlier place
Just posted:
Just posted:
I was about 14 minutes into it when a YouTube push notification arrived for this exact video.
Definitely an interesting video.
PokerNews is reporting that no changes have been filed against The Lodge - https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/04/lodge-card-club-texas-poker-room-charges-51006.htm
civil forfeiture plain as day
Not surprising — the harm is done. The funds will likely be tied up for a long time, or possibly never come back from the State.
PokerNews reports that no filings have been made against The Lodge - https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/04/lodge-card-club-texas-poker-room-charges-51006.htm
If the TABC or the courts determine that "charging membership fees and seat fees" amounts to an "economic benefit," wouldn't virtually every poker room in Texas have to shut down, since nearly all use the same business model?
If the TABC/the courts finds that "charging membership fees and seat fees" constitutes "economic benefit", wouldn't almost all poker rooms in Texas would have to close since they basically all have the same operating model?
Yep, could lead to that. With this action possibly serving as a precendent and the vague laws currently in place it could be just the beginning. Just takes some overly ambitious authorities and the walls could come down.
If the TABC/the courts finds that "charging membership fees and seat fees" constitutes "economic benefit", wouldn't almost all poker rooms in Texas would have to close since they basically all have the same operating model?
My thoughts exactly.
I'd be making hella calls to find out whether it's safe to remain open!
I'm fairly certain that if this reached the courts, the major rooms would funnel funds into Lodge's legal team.
One can seek all the legal advice available, but the core problem is the law is ambiguous. Your law firm can't say with certainty a poker room, however run, is legal in Texas. Most lawyers would advise you not to engage in the poker business in Texas due to the risk and uncertainty.
If The Lodge, its owners and managers want their day in court in needs to be understood that they could be in mortal legal peril. American and Texas "justice" begins with a massive legal threat - look at the list of prospective charges in the search warrant. Someone will be facing decades in prison under all sorts of financial and moral turpitude statutes. There is a reason why almost no one goes to trial in the USA, they plead to "lesser" charges due to the risk of losing on the whole package of charges and spending their life in the hands of the Texas Department of Corrections.
We of all groups understand how expected value works. If you want your Constitutionally protected right to a trial, you are going to often be spending a fortune in legal fees and betting a decade or more of your life that the jury finds you innocent. Let's do the math: You will spend $100,000+ on your legal defense, incur a 5% chance of a 10+ year prison term or you can plead no-contest to a misdemeanor, no jail, no expenses, forfeit your seized money and agree to close the Lodge (which is effectively closed anyway). There are good reasons why innocent people plead guilty. And this is not a slam dunk innocent case; the law is grey and untested in court.
Could all the poker rooms band together and help pay the legal costs? Of course they could. Perhaps even likely. But the group can't out spend the State of Texas in court. And if someone is going to be convicted of a felony, it isn't going to be a shared responsibility.
Perhaps the owner and management of the Lodge will fight all the way to a criminal trial with a jury. If so, please respect the risk being taken. It could be life changing -=- DrStrange
There’s notably a WSOP circuit event about to start next week in the exact same county as the Lodge. As far as I can tell, it has not been cancelled. I would have lost that bet had I made one (and I would have made such a bet in a private place of course).
Up further north in the Dallas area, I’ve noticed a couple significant procedure changes since the raids. Maybe I posted it already here I can’t remember.
check in at palace is now downstairs right at the door, you are forced to check in
check in at TCH Irving is now also at the door with security…you can’t get in and head to the bar or restrooms without a membership.
palace had a conspicuous disclaimer separating the tourney buy in from the access fee
Don’t know if these will matter but it’s nice to see them taking some precautions, and after being charged for playing in one of these card rooms once (your boy beat the case!) more ammo for the defense, the better
But the group can't out spend the State of Texas in court.
The State only has to win once as well
There’s notably a WSOP circuit event about to start next week in the exact same county as the Lodge. As far as I can tell, it has not been cancelled. I would have lost that bet had I made one (and I would have made such a bet in a private place of course).
There's also the upcoming televised and streaming PGT High Roller series and the Texas Poker Open coming up at the Champions Club in Houston... that's obviously in a different county than The Lodge in Austin, and I don't know what DA Sean Teare is like in Harris County, but it certainly makes the road ahead for card room poker in Texas a bit more scary.
If the TABC/the courts finds that "charging membership fees and seat fees" constitutes "economic benefit", wouldn't almost all poker rooms in Texas would have to close since they basically all have the same operating model?
I doubt TABC, or any jurisdiction in TX for that matter, actually wants this going to trial. Such a determination and closure of all similar facilities would end tens of millions of dollars (or more) the state is currently enjoying in annual tax revenues from these operations.
The unclear “economic benefit” text (which, ironically, the state is also benefitting from) allows them to keep the dollars rolling in, while targeting the rooms they don’t want (for whatever reason; laundering, alcohol violations, etc.).
I personally believe the text is (was) a carve-out for private/social home games and country club type locker rooms to avoid legal fracas from small/occasional poker play. But once the state realized they could make hay off 24-hour dedicated poker halls, it seems they decided to let (some of) them slide, all without the statewide PR fallout of having openly "legalized" gambling.
I can only assume Polk ruffled the wrong feathers to have brought down the strong arm of the law.
This is in Williamson county too. Travis county is the one where Austin is, Williamson is a north of Travis and has always been tougher.
I realized I was mistakened when I said this. I hadn't realized that NW Austin falls into Williamson county as well so TCH is actually in Williamson and NOT Travis county.
When I was younger I remembered "don't get in trouble in Round Rock because that's Williamson county and they don't take shit.". Good thing I just went the route of not getting in trouble at all
ALL CHARGES REJECTED LFG!
Damn DA. They're missing out on a ton of money during this WSOP schedule...
That and every employee impacted by their bullshit behavior.
Absolutely breathtaking sequence of events! I wonder if there's any basis for a malicious prosecution claim against the officials who set this whole fiasco in motion.
"And it won't happen again, promise".......... :unsure:
Wow, this is good news for poker! Right? I mean it sucks that it happened at all, but I'm glad no charges stuck.
What a complete mess — relieved it ultimately went well for The Lodge team.
Wow, this is good news for poker! Right? I mean it sucks that it happened at all, but I'm glad no charges stuck.
This is great news, and was resolved far quicker than most expected
https://www.wilcotx.gov/256/District-Attorney
Don't be a Dick.
Maybe they can finally put money into some Paulsons now.
I expect Texas will drag its feet in returning or unfreezing the money.
I'm glad for them. It's absurd that poker is against the law.
Maybe they can now put money into some Paulsons.
They have 68 tables and I’m certain a HUGE stockpile of chips. And besides, Paulson won’t deal with unregulated social poker clubs in TX.
They possess 68 tables and I’m certain they hold a MASSIVE stockpile of chips. Not to mention, Paulson refuses to sell to unregulated social poker clubs in TX.
All they require is a NAGB.
They only require a NAGB.
Doug will create 3 casino boats, The Fold, Call and Raise. All possibilities remain on the table.
Wonderful to see them up and running again!
Time to book a flight!
Yup, they're going to run a $50,000 GTD "Freeroll" at 6:15pm that night according to Atlas (which falls on a Tuesday — their Tuesday event used to draw MASSIVE crowds so it holds some sentimental value for them).
You can enter for only the $30 access fee (I know, freeroll has been twisted in Texas) and there are lots of rebuys and add-ons available. Still, expect it to be crowded.