The World Poker Tour has announced the postponement of the WPT Wildcard event, originally scheduled for March 13 to 15 at The Lodge Card Club in Texas. Previously, state law enforcement conducted a raid on the club this Tuesday, which hindered the event's operations. Simply put, the police suddenly showed up, and the card game was disrupted.
Raid operation: Multi-departmental investigation into money laundering and illegal gambling
On the morning of March 10, Texas law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Round Rock poker room near Austin. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Financial Crimes Division, Special Investigation Unit, Williamson County Sheriff's Office, and the IRS were all involved in this operation, with about 20 agents participating in the search. Authorities stated that this is part of an ongoing investigation into suspected money laundering and illegal gambling activities. As of now, no arrests or criminal charges have been announced, and the investigation is still ongoing. The search occurred about 16 hours after the main event of the club's championship series ended.
Scene situation: Players were asked to leave with their chips
At the time of the incident, players inside the club were asked to leave and take their chips. Reportedly, customers were asked to show their IDs before leaving, but authorities have not confirmed the reason for this procedure. One of the club's owners, well-known poker celebrity Doug Polk, stated that he was not present at the scene and would make a public statement after gathering information. The club has messaged its members saying that lawyers are looking into the situation, but no explanation for the search has been provided yet, and the club will continue to be closed.
Legal background: The gray area of Texas poker clubs
The Lodge, acquired by Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen in 2022, has gained fame through the "Poker at the Lodge" brand, broadcasting high-stakes table games, and expanded its restaurant and bar in 2024. Texas prohibits most forms of gambling and does not have traditional casinos. Many poker clubs operate under a private membership model, charging membership fees or hourly fees instead of raking, to comply with "social gambling" laws. Critics argue that clubs still profit from table activities. Since Texas lacks a dedicated regulatory body, law enforcement actions often involve multiple departments. This raid has led to the postponement of the WPT event, and it is unclear when the club will reopen. Interested in the latest updates on the American poker industry? PASA official website continues to track.
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