\n Posted on: April 12, 2026, 07:02h.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n
\n Last updated on: April 12, 2026, 08:00h.\n <\/p>\n
![\"Avatar](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-5-1-50x50.png\")
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- Texas drops laundering case but still holds $2M in seized funds<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Authorities claim poker club violated Texas gambling laws<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Players left unpaid as The Lodge shuts down indefinitely<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Authorities in Texas are no longer pursuing a money laundering investigation<\/a> into the state\u2019s largest poker room, The Lodge Card Club in Austin, but still believe it may have violated state gambling laws.<\/p>\n
![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lodge-858x573.jpg\")
A packed cardroom at The Lodge Card Club before authorities intervened. The Texas poker venue has since shut down amid an ongoing investigation. (The Lodge Card Club)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n A search and seizure warrant filed April 8 in the 480th Judicial District Court in Williamson County outlines authorities\u2019 reasoning for retaining roughly $2 million in seized assets, even though no criminal charges have been filed.<\/p>\n
The filing argues that when The Lodge was raided by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission\u2019s (TABC) Financial Crimes Unit on March 10, it was operating in violation of Texas Penal Code Sections 47.03 and 47.04, which prohibit promoting illegal gambling and keeping a gambling place.<\/p>\n
\nTo date, no arrests have been made and an investigation is ongoing. The warrant suggests that illegal gambling charges could yet be filed against the club, which is part-owned by celebrity poker player Doug Polk and has remained closed since the raid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Players present at the club on the morning of March 10 reported that law enforcement entered the building and ordered them to head home. They were not permitted to cash out their chips.<\/p>\n
Polk later described the raid as a \u201cwitch hunt\u201d on social media and has offered a verbal guarantee that players will be reimbursed.<\/p>\n
Legal Loophole?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Until recently, it was hard work finding a game of hold\u2019em in Texas outside the Kickapoo reservation on the Mexican border. But over the past few years, several dozen poker rooms have sprung up across the state \u2013 in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock, and elsewhere \u2013 but they operate in a gray area of the law<\/p>\n
The Texas Penal Code 47.04 states that is a \u201cdefense to prosecution\u201d if \u201cthe actor engaged in gambling in a private place [which includes a club]; no person received any economic benefit other than personal winnings; [and] except for the advantage of skill or luck, the risks of losing and the chances of winning were the same for all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe clubs argue they are private venues that do not take a percentage of each pot. Instead, they generate revenue by charging players an hourly fee, which they say keeps them compliant with state law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Economic Benefit<\/strong><\/h2>\n
However, it\u2019s clear from the search and seizure warrant that authorities in Williamson County aren\u2019t buying it. The filing argues the clubs\u2019 owners were gaining an economic benefit by \u201ccharging membership fees and seat fees for individuals to gamble\u201d and by \u201cselling food, beverages, alcoholic drinks, merchandise, streaming poker play, and hosting poker tournaments.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s no different than what other clubs are doing elsewhere in Texas, which remain open \u2013 at least for now.<\/p>\n
The legality of this business model may be ultimately tested by the Texas Supreme Court. But for now, the outlook appears bleak for The Lodge. The club laid off employees<\/a> in late March and said it will remain closed for the \u201cforeseeable future.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
- Authorities claim poker club violated Texas gambling laws<\/strong><\/li>\n