Published on: March 13, 2026, 06:26h.
Updated on: March 13, 2026, 06:26h.
- Texas Law Enforcement Raids Austin’s Lodge Card Club Amid Gambling Probe
- Players Instructed to Take Chips Home as Club Closes for Investigation
- Case Sheds Light on Legal Ambiguities Surrounding Texas Poker Establishments
This week’s enforcement action by Texas authorities at the Lodge Card Club in Austin, the largest poker venue in the state, is part of an investigation into potential money laundering and illegal gambling activities.
According to a statement to Poker.org, agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s Financial Crimes Unit executed a search and seizure warrant at the club on March 10. Players reported being instructed to take their chips home rather than cashing them out.
No arrests were made, and no charges have been filed, with the club remaining closed while the investigation continues.
Polk Denounces ‘Witch Hunt’
In a brief statement on Wednesday night, the club expressed, “Our attorneys are striving to comprehend the basis for the search, but we have yet to receive an explanation.” They added, “Our legal team has reached out to the relevant parties and is seeking clarity. We believe we are operating with integrity, adhering to best practices, and have conducted business in full compliance with Texas law for many years.”
Doug Polk was more vocal on social media, labeling the circumstances a “witch hunt” and assuring that “all player funds will remain secure.”
While most forms of gambling are prohibited in Texas, card rooms exploit what can be viewed as a “loophole” in Chapter 47 of the Texas Penal Code.
Examining the Loophole
The code specifies that “it is a defense to prosecution” if “the participant engaged in gambling in a private setting [including a club]; no one received any economic advantage aside from personal winnings; and, barring skill or luck, the chances of losing and winning were equal for everyone involved.”
The card clubs maintain that by not acting as the “house”—i.e., not taking a rake from the pot—they remain within legal bounds. Instead, they charge players a fee to access the venue.
However, authorities do not always view the situation similarly. In 2021, the Texas Card House in Dallas was closed just months after receiving a permit from local officials. A court ruled that the club could continue operations, but the overarching legality of poker rooms in Texas is expected to be determined in the state Supreme Court soon.