After Raid: The Lodge in Texas Lays Off Staff, Closes Indefinitely

After Raid: The Lodge in Texas Lays Off Staff, Closes Indefinitely

In a moving letter emailed to employees, The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, Texas, has announced it would “shut its doors for the foreseeable future”. Accordingly, the card room was forced to lay off all of its staff, on the grounds of ongoing legal pressure from the authorities. The club was initially closed on March 10 following a raid by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Worth knowing: no charges have been filed yet. However, prosecutors have made it pretty clear they believe The Lodge’s business model violates Texas law. The club operates under the state’s “social poker club” framework, charging seat rental fees or memberships rather than taking rake from pots.

Owners Face Uncertain Legal Battle

High-profile poker professionals Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen are among the club’s owners. Polk, Jake Abdalla, and Jason Levin hold majority stakes, while Neeme and Owen invested smaller amounts in the venture. It quickly became one of the most recognizable poker venues in the region.

Levin’s letter to staff described the closure as the hardest message he has ever had to write. “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,” he wrote.

The letter continued with stark honesty. “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.”

Investigation Continues With No Timeline

Authorities have provided no indication when their investigation might conclude. This leaves the owners with no viable path forward. An affidavit obtained by industry sources alleges possible violations including organized criminal activity, money laundering, and illegal gambling.

The document claims approximately $1.35 million in deposits have been flagged as suspicious, alongside questionable financial transfers between business accounts. The investigation reportedly included an undercover operation where agents visited the club and played poker on multiple occasions. The affidavit’s allegations paint a picture far removed from the social poker club model the owners believed they were operating within.

Staff Praised Despite Closure

Despite the circumstances, Levin’s letter emphasized the value of the laid-off employees. “Each of you played a role in bringing that vision to life. From the front desk to the porters, dealers, managers, and production team, every detail, every interaction, every long day and late night added up to something truly special. You made this place what it was. Not the building, not the brand, you,” he wrote.

Should legal circumstances allow a future reopening, Levin indicated the plan would be to welcome staff back. For now, however, the entire team has been let go with no clear timeline for resolution.

The Lodge’s sister location in San Antonio remains open and operational, suggesting the legal pressure is currently focused on the Round Rock property specifically. The case highlights ongoing tensions between Texas gambling law and the social poker club model that has flourished in the state’s grey areas for years.