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TABC Confirms Investigation Into 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 regulators confirmed an ongoing investigation into suspected money laundering and illegal gambling after a raid on The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock. No arrests were made, the poker room remains closed, and scheduled events including a WPT tournament have been postponed.
As per media reports, The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has confirmed that its agents carried out a raid on The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock as part of an investigation into suspected financial crimes connected to the poker room.
PokerOrg received an official statement from TABC Director of Communications Chris Porter following the operation, which took place on March 10. According to the statement, agents executed a search and seizure warrant tied to an ongoing probe.
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 also confirmed that no further comment would be made while the investigation continues.
Lodge Remains Closed After Raid
Two days after the operation, The Lodge Card Club remains closed. As per news reports, an email sent to members acknowledged the raid but provided few answers about what triggered the investigation.
"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 is one of the largest poker rooms in Texas and operates in the Austin area. The venue, co-owned by Doug Polk, expanded its facility in 2024 by adding an attached restaurant and bar.
Following the raid, some poker players on social media noted that the poker room’s liquor license had previously expired in 2024. However, public records show that the parent company, Sleamond's Ice, LLC, applied for and received a new license covering both the restaurant and the poker club.
TABC records indicate the business currently holds an active Mixed Beverage Permit that expires on Aug. 8, 2026. Despite the investigation, PokerNews confirmed that no staff members or players were arrested during the search.
The raid took place shortly after the conclusion of the Lodge Championship Series Main Event. While that tournament finished before the closure, other upcoming events have already been affected.
A special World Poker Tour event scheduled to begin on March 13 has now been postponed. The club has not provided a timeline for reopening.
Doug Polk and Tom Dwan Exchange Heated Messages
The situation also sparked a public dispute between Lodge co-owner Doug Polk and high-stakes pro Tom Dwan on social media.
Polk attempted to reassure players that their balances were secure while the legal situation developed, describing the investigation as a "witch hunt."
Dwan responded to Polk’s message urging him to reflect on how he has previously criticized others facing controversy.
"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," Dwan wrote.
Polk responded sharply to the criticism and reiterated his commitment to player funds.
"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."
With the investigation ongoing and the poker room closed, the future timeline for The Lodge Card Club’s reopening remains uncertain.
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