The Lodge Card Club near Austin has shut down indefinitely and laid off its entire staff after Texas authorities challenged the legality of its business model.
The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, Texas, near Austin, is shutting down indefinitely and laying off its entire staff, citing ongoing legal pressure from local authorities. The club has remained closed since March 10, when the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) raided the card room, seizing evidence and freezing assets.
Poker professionals Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen are among the owners of the club. All three are among the most recognizable figures in modern poker streaming and YouTube.
Polk, Jake Abdalla, and Jason Levin are majority owners, with Neeme and Owen among the smaller investors.
Closure Confirmed in Staff Email
Levin sent an email to all employees, confirming the club will remain closed “for the foreseeable future” and that all staff would be let go.
Levin started the message by writing, “This is the hardest message I’ve ever had to write.”
He said the decision stems from legal risks associated with the club’s operating model. However, he maintained the business had acted lawfully.
While no charges have been brought… the Williamson County District Attorney’s office has made clear to our attorneys that they believe The Lodge’s current business model does not comply with Texas law.”
Levin added that reopening could expose the business to additional raids, potentially resulting in asset seizures and arrests.
For this reason, we cannot re-open… Doing so would run the risk that authorities might once again raid The Lodge, seize more cash and assets, and potentially make arrests.”
“Because we have not been given any indication of when the investigation will conclude, we have no other viable path forward at this time.”
He added that the club would aim to rehire employees if operations resume.
There are no words that fully capture how much this hurts—not just as a business decision, but on a human level. I am deeply grateful for everything you’ve given, and I will carry that with me always. You didn’t just show up to work—you built something that mattered.”
Raid Fallout Tied to Financial and Gambling Allegations
The raid and subsequent closure of the Lodge stem from Texas’s gambling laws and “social poker club” model, which operates in a gray legal area.
Texas remains one of the most restrictive states for gambling, with no change likely in the near future. As a result, poker clubs in Texas operate under a private-club model. It allows peer-to-peer poker games rather than house-banked gambling. The clubs charge membership fees or hourly seat rentals instead of taking a percentage of the pots.
However, according to a 22-page affidavit obtained by PokerNews, the investigation into The Lodge is based on potential violations such as organized criminal activity, money laundering, and illegal gambling under Texas law.
According to the document, approximately $1.35 million in deposits were flagged as “suspicious,” along with financial transfers between accounts linked to the business. It also details an undercover operation in which agents visited the club and played poker multiple times.
What Comes Next
The investigation continues with the timeline remaining unknown. The Lodge’s shutdown marks one of the most high-profile actions against a Texas poker room to date.
It raises questions on increased pressure on social poker clubs and whether similar actions could follow elsewhere. That includes the Lodge’s sister location in San Antonio.
The post The Lodge Card Club Shuts Down, Lays Off Staff Amid Legal Pressure appeared first on Gambling Insider.
