Poker is returning to one of Texas’ largest poker clubs.
The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock will soon reopen following a nearly two-month saga with state authorities. According to a post from co-owner and high-stakes poker player Doug Polk, the state dropped the money laundering and illegal gambling charges filed against it.
The Twitter/X post, Polk said he hopes the club will reopen “within a few weeks.”
BREAKING: All charges against myself, my partners, and the Lodge have been officially rejected.
The seized money and equipment will be returned and we will reopen as quickly as possible, hopefully within a few weeks.
The Grand Jury in Williamson county heard the allegations… pic.twitter.com/giEFXKzq6N
— Doug Polk (Code Doug) (@DougPolkVids) April 28, 2026
In March, the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission raided the property. It seized the club’s funds and assets and forced the property to shutter its operation.
The TABC claimed the Lodge and its owners with several crimes related to illegal gambling and money laundering. However, the TABC can’t formally charge The Lodge. Legally speaking, the commission was conducting an investigation.
Consequently, the state had until April 9 to file formal charges or release the company’s funds. The deadline passed, but the funds were still frozen. Then, the state removed any possible money laundering charges from the investigation.
Now that Texas has returned The Lodge’s funds, players can redeem their chips for cash and the club can finish processing outstanding tournament payouts. The club concluded a tournament series the day prior to the raid, and awarded north of $200,000 to the main event winner.
Ruling Keeps Texas Poker Safe
It’s obviously a positive development for players who have outstanding debts with The Lodge. But it’s also a win for the broader Texas poker industry.
Many believed if the state convicted The Lodge on theses allegations, then the entire Texas poker model was at stake. Then, local authorities could go after many local card clubs who operate under the social club carveout in the state’s law.
That won’t be the case. The World Series of Poker is currently running a Circuit stop at Texas Card House Austin, which has gone off without a hitch.
