Texas authorities shut down Austin's Lodge Card Club in money laundering probe
Texas authorities raided the Lodge Card Club in Austin on March 10, 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering and illegal gambling. The club, owned by well-known poker professionals Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen, remains closed while officials examine its operations.
The Lodge Card Club is the largest poker room in Texas. Like other similar venues, it operates under a legal loophole in Chapter 47 of the Texas Penal Code. This rule allows poker rooms to function as long as they do not act as 'the house' or profit beyond personal winnings.
During the raid, players were instructed to leave with their chips but could not cash out. No arrests were made, and no charges have yet been filed against the club or its owners. Doug Polk later called the situation a 'witch hunt' and reassured players that their funds were secure. Texas law generally bans most forms of gambling, but poker rooms have continued to operate under this contested legal exception. In 2021, the Texas Card House in Dallas faced a similar shutdown before being allowed to reopen while awaiting a final Supreme Court decision on the legality of such venues. No ruling has been issued since, leaving the status of poker rooms in the state unresolved.
The investigation into the Lodge Card Club is still active, and the club remains closed for now. Authorities have not announced any charges, and the legal future of Texas poker rooms hangs in uncertainty. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for similar venues across the state.
