Lodge Poker Club Operations Halted After TABC Raid

State authorities entered The Lodge poker club in Round Rock, Texas, on Tuesday morning and ordered the popular cardroom to shut down. Agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) carried out the raid.

The Lodge counts several well known poker professionals among its co owners, including Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen.

Good to Know

• Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents shut down The Lodge poker club.
• Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen are listed as co owners.
• A scheduled World Poker Tour event at the venue has now been cancelled.

Raid Linked To Alcohol Licensing Questions

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission oversees alcohol sales across the state. The Lodge website advertises beer and cocktails for guests.

Public records show the poker room received a liquor license in 2022. That license expired on September 15, 2024, and it remains unclear whether a new license had been issued under another name.

Authorities have not confirmed what regulation may have been violated. Officials also have not said whether minors were involved. The poker room allows players aged 18 and older, while the legal drinking age in Texas is 21.

Doug Polk told PokerNews he was not present during the raid and said he is waiting for more details before making any public statement. Officials have not confirmed whether arrests were made.

Players Told To Keep Their Chips

Reports from players at the club suggest the raid interrupted games in progress. A discussion thread on Reddit claimed agents instructed players to take their chips home and return later when the property reopens to cash out.

Tournament players were also told they would receive refunds at a later time.

The timing of the raid disrupted upcoming events at the venue. The poker room had recently hosted the Lodge Championship Series, where Wayne Harmon won the main event for $203,990.

A World Poker Tour “Wacky Weekend Wildcard” event scheduled to take place soon after has now been cancelled.

“The decision was made due to circumstances outside of WPT’s control that impact event operations,” the tour wrote on X. “We recognize that many players had planned to attend and appreciate their understanding. Updated dates and additional details will be announced once finalized.”

Texas Poker Rooms Operate In A Legal Gray Area

Texas law prohibits gambling when anyone receives an economic benefit beyond personal winnings. Because of that rule, most poker rooms operate using membership fees or seat charges instead of taking a rake from each pot.

Structure allows many clubs to run in a country club style format. Still, some law enforcement officials and legal experts argue the model remains in a legal gray area.

Poker rooms across Texas have occasionally faced raids or investigations over the years as regulators continue to examine how those businesses operate.

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