The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) raided The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock on Tuesday morning. In the immediate aftermath, details were scant about why the commission shuttered the property.
A TABC spokesperson told Card Player this morning that the raid was part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering and illegal gambling. While the agency doesn’t regulate gambling in Texas, as there are no commercial casinos and no state gaming regulatory body, the commission generally prohibits illegal gambling at locations licensed to sell alcohol.
Chris Porter, the commission’s director of communications, said The Lodge has a liquor license and outlined possible crimes they are investigating.
“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,” Porter said.
“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.”
Polk Guarantees Safety Of Player Funds
Before the commission shed any light on the raid, The Lodge co-owner Doug Polk promised to cover all player funds.
During the law enforcement action, players were not able to cash in chips. Instead, agents told players to take them home and cash them in at a later date.
Polk’s promise came in response to criticism from high-stakes regular Tom Dwan on Twitter/X.
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 fuck up https://t.co/HqjpRHITuv
— Doug Polk (Code Doug) (@DougPolkVids) March 11, 2026
“I have personally guaranteed that all player funds will be safe as this witch hunt from TABC plays out,” Polk said.
Statement Coming Soon?
In addition to guaranteeing player funds, Polk said he would release an official statement soon regarding the situation. Polk wasn’t at the club at the time TABC officials entered the building.
“I am waiting on some additional information, but I will make an in-depth statement within the next day about what is going on with The Lodge,” Polk said.
As of Thursday morning, Polk hasn’t released a statement yet. As part of the back and forth with Dwan, Polk said he’d love to play ‘Durrr’ as part of his latest heads-up challenge on ClubWPT Gold.
