The Lodge Card Club Closes, Staff Laid Off Amid Investigation

Summary:

• The Lodge Card Club team in Round Rock has been let go due to legal uncertainty.
• TABC is currently investigating alleged illegal gambling and money laundering accusations.
• The poker venue remains closed indefinitely, while the San Antonio location remains open. 

Employees of The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, have been laid off following a raid of the Texas poker room earlier this month. 

Levin to Employees: “You Built Something That Mattered”

The Austin-area club has remained closed since March 10, when the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission conducted a search, which resulted in seized evidence and frozen assets. 

Authorities did not make any arrests or charges, but the future of the club, which is co-owned by Doug Polk, remains uncertain.

Staff received an email from majority owner Jason Levin, expressing gratitude for their contributions while explaining the decision. 

Levin wrote that while no charges have been brought and the club has always aimed to operate legally, the Williamson County District Attorney’s office believes The Lodge’s current business model may not comply with Texas law. 

The decision to close the Round Rock venue was made to avoid further raids or potential legal consequences.

While no charges have been brought, and we maintain that the club has always operated with the utmost integrity and within the laws of Texas, 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. 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.

Levin acknowledged the impact on employees, praising their dedication from front desk staff to dealers and managers.

You didn’t just show up to work, you built something that mattered.

Levin also expressed hope that if the club is ever able to reopen, staff would be welcomed back.

“Closed for the Foreseeable Future”

The Lodge, a 68-table membership club with an attached bar and restaurant, uses a model common in Texas poker rooms: charging membership and seat fees instead of taking a rake. 

Texas law under Penal Code 47.04 allows poker games to operate legally as long as the host is not profiting directly from the play. However, the TABC’s 22-page affidavit indicates the agency was looking into allegations of money laundering and illegal gambling.

The affidavit does say the following:

“Additionally, a public complaint (#3824166) was filed with TABC on 04/03/2024 which referenced a 2005 opinion written by then Attorney General Greg Abbott that stated a business that holds an On-Premise alcoholic beverage permit could not… https://t.co/LXkeGfKWUI

— Chad Holloway (@ChadAHolloway) March 17, 2026

While the Round Rock location will remain closed “for the foreseeable future” the company’s sister property in San Antonio will continue to welcome patrons.