WPT Postpones Lodge Event After Texas Authorities Raid Poker Room

The World Poker Tour has postponed a scheduled event at The Lodge Card Club in Texas after state authorities raided the venue earlier this week. The WPT Wildcard: Wacky Weekend of Poker, scheduled for March 13–15 at the Round Rock poker room near Austin, was postponed following the enforcement action.

Texas Authorities Raid The Lodge Card Club

Earlier this week, officials from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and state police raided The Lodge Card Club, one of the largest poker rooms in Texas. Poker professionals Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen co-own the club. The three players are among the most recognizable figures in modern poker streaming and YouTube.

Reports indicate the raid occurred roughly 16 hours after the conclusion of the Lodge Championship Series main event, which had just wrapped at the venue.

Players present during the enforcement action were reportedly instructed to leave the premises and take their chips with them, with the understanding that they could cash them out once the club reopened.

Users on Reddit have speculated on the reasons for the raid. Some pointed to possible issues related to the venue’s liquor license or age restrictions, while others suggested the investigation may involve matters beyond alcohol regulation. Authorities have not publicly explained the reason for the raid.

WPT Event Pulled From Schedule

The enforcement action forced the postponement of the upcoming WPT festival at the venue.

On the event page, the World Poker Tour said:

“The decision was made due to circumstances outside of WPT’s control that impact event operations. We recognize that many players had planned to attend and appreciate their understanding. Updated dates and additional details will be announced once finalized. Thank you for your patience and continued support.”

The tour noted that it will announce updated event dates after the resolution of the situation. The WPT Wildcard weekend had been expected to draw players from across the region as part of the tour’s expanding schedule of special events.

The disruption marks the second recent schedule change for the World Poker Tour. Earlier this month, the tour also postponed the WPT Prime Championship Cyprus. That was due to regional travel disruptions following military strikes involving Iran.

Owners Respond As Investigation Continues

Lodge co-owner Doug Polk said he was not present during the raid and is still gathering information. Polk later assured players that their funds remain safe while the investigation proceeds.

In an email sent to members, The Lodge Card Club confirmed the raid.

The venue said it does not know the reason for the raid. It wrote that “our attorneys are working to understand the reasons behind the search but at this time, the situation has not been explained to us.”

The Lodge added that “in our view, we are operating with integrity, using all best practices, and for many years have been doing business in absolute accordance with Texas law.”

The email stated that the venue will remain closed. Still, it assured members that the club is working to ensure “member assets are secure.”

Texas Poker Rooms Operate In Legal Gray Area

Texas prohibits most forms of gambling, and significant expansion appears unlikely in the foreseeable future.

Because of that, poker rooms fall under a legal gray area. They operate under a private-club model that allows peer-to-peer poker games while avoiding traditional house-banked gambling.

Instead of taking a percentage from the pots, poker clubs charge membership fees or hourly seat rentals. Operators argue the structure allows poker to qualify under the state’s “social gambling” exception. That’s because the house does not take a percentage of the winnings.

However, the model’s legality remains disputed. Critics argue the clubs still derive economic benefits from the games.

As Texas prohibits most gambling, the state lacks a dedicated regulator overseeing casino-style gaming or poker rooms, meaning enforcement actions may involve other agencies. That includes local law enforcement and the TABC.

For now, both the future of the Lodge event and the status of the poker room itself remain uncertain as authorities continue their investigation.