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15 Jun 2026Read More
Texas Poker Room Raid: TABC Investigates The Lodge Card Club
- The Lodge Card Club in Texas was raided for suspected money laundering and illegal gambling.
- No arrests were made, but the poker room remains closed, disrupting scheduled events.
- Public disputes arise as co-owner Doug Polk assures players their funds are safe.
Image Credit: The Lodge Card Club/Facebook
Texas authorities confirmed an investigation into suspected money laundering and illegal gambling after agents raided The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock. The poker room remains closed while officials review the case and owners seek clarification.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has confirmed that its agents conducted a search operation at The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock as part of an investigation into alleged financial crimes linked to the poker room.
PokerOrg reported that TABC Director of Communications Chris Porter issued a statement following Tuesday’s raid, confirming that authorities are examining possible money laundering and illegal
gambling activity connected to the venue.
Porter said, "Agents of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s Financial Crimes Unit, along with members of the Special Investigations Unit and Operations Bureau, executed a search and seizure warrant at Lodge Card Club in Round Rock on March 10 in conjunction with an ongoing investigation into suspected money laundering and illegal gambling.
"The business holds a TABC mixed beverage permit. Approximately 20 TABC agents were involved with the operation along with officers from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and the IRS. No arrests were made as part of Tuesday’s operation, and the investigation remains ongoing. No charges have yet been filed against the business."
Porter added that because the investigation is still ongoing, the agency will not provide further comment at this stage.
Lodge Card Club Remains Closed
The Lodge Card Club also addressed the situation through an email sent to members. The message confirmed the poker room remains closed two days after the raid and said the club is still trying to understand the reason behind the search.
"Our attorneys are working to understand the reasons behind the search but at this time, the situation has not been explained to us," the statement read.
"This is obviously upsetting, and until this situation is fully understood, The Lodge Card Club is closed," the email continued.
The Lodge, located in the Austin area and co-owned by Doug Polk, has grown into the largest poker room in Texas. In 2024, the venue expanded by adding a restaurant and bar next to the poker room.
Some players on social media had suggested the raid might be linked to an expired liquor license in 2024.
However, records obtained from the TABC show that the parent company, Sleamond's Ice, LLC, secured a new Mixed Beverage Permit covering both the restaurant and poker room. The permit remains active and is scheduled to expire on Aug. 8, 2026.
Major Events Affected by Closure
The search occurred only hours after the Lodge Championship Series Main Event concluded. While the tournament finished before the raid took place, other scheduled events have already been affected.
A special World Poker Tour event that was due to begin on March 13 has now been postponed. The club’s email to members did not provide a timeline for when the poker room might reopen.
PokerNews also confirmed that no staff members or players were arrested during the operation. Requests for additional comment from the TABC have so far not received a response.
Doug Polk and Tom Dwan Clash Online
The situation also triggered a heated exchange on social media between Lodge co-owner Doug Polk and high-stakes professional Tom Dwan.
Polk assured players that their funds remain secure despite the investigation and criticized the action against the club.
Dwan responded to Polk’s earlier comments about the raid by writing: "You made a lot of your brand out of going after people in times like this. I hope you can take a minute to reflect, and realize the negatives of some of those choices. Hope you do stuff like that less in the future."
Polk fired back with a blunt response, stating: "I have personally guaranteed that all player funds will be safe as this witch hunt from TABC plays out. You still allegedly owe tens of millions. Shut the f**k up."
For now, The Lodge Card Club remains closed while authorities continue their investigation and the poker community waits for further clarification on the future of one of Texas’ most prominent poker venues.
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