Published on: March 26, 2026, 10:55h.
Updated on: March 26, 2026, 10:55h.
- The Lodge, Texas’s Leading Poker Venue, Closes Following State Actions
- Investigation Focuses on Suspected Illegal Gambling and Money Laundering
- Closure Underscores Legal Ambiguities for Texas Gambling Clubs
Just two weeks after law enforcement raided The Lodge Card Club, the largest poker establishment in Texas, it seems the venue has permanently closed its doors. Co-owner Jason Levin informed employees of the layoffs through an email sent on Tuesday, citing the need for the club to halt operations “for the time being.”
On March 10, agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s (TABC) Financial Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at the establishment. Players at this favored cardroom, which includes poker celebrity Doug Polk as an owner, reported being instructed to leave with their chips without cashing out.
Claim of a ‘Witch Hunt’
TABC announced that the raid was part of an ongoing investigation into illegal gambling operations and money laundering. So far, no arrests have been made, nor have any charges been filed. Polk took to social media to characterize the investigation as “a witch hunt.”
[…W]e assert that the club has consistently operated with integrity and in accordance with Texas laws. However, the Williamson County District Attorney’s office has made it clear to our legal team that they interpret The Lodge’s current model as non-compliant with Texas regulations,” Levin stated in his email to staff.
Levin also indicated that he had not received any updates regarding the timeline of the investigation.
High-Stakes Environment
Establishing a card club in Texas was always fraught with challenges. The majority of gambling activities in the state are prohibited, and card rooms navigate a perceived “loophole” in Chapter 47 of the Texas Penal Code.
This statute claims, “it is a defense to prosecution” if “the act was conducted in a private setting [such as a club]; no individual gained any economic benefit aside from personal winnings; [and] except where skill or luck is concerned, the risks and rewards were equal for all players.”
Card clubs argue that since they don’t operate as “the house” – meaning they do not take a portion of each pot – they are not infringing upon the law. Instead, they generate income by charging players a per-hour fee for venue use.
However, it appears the Williamson County DA’s Office disagrees with this legal interpretation. The closure of the club highlights the precarious line between legal and illegal gambling in Texas, which seems to be narrowing.