The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, Texas, was raided by state authorities on Tuesday morning, leaving players unable to cash out and forcing the cancellation of an upcoming World Poker Tour event.

The Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) and state police conducted the operation at the poker room, which is co-owned by well-known poker personalities Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen. None of the owners have commented publicly yet.

Players Turned Away Without Cash

According to reports from people at the scene, law enforcement prevented players from cashing out their chips. Instead, they were told to take the chips home. Which could suggest authorities expect the club to reopen at some point.

Several players took to Reddit to share their experiences. Some requested to see a warrant but were refused. Everyone leaving the premises had to show identification, adding to the tension of an already uncomfortable situation.

Tournament players weren’t allowed to take chips home, which makes sense given they have no cash value. Staff reportedly promised these players would be “refunded with an entry later.” The Lodge is clearly trying to protect regular customers from losing out.

TABC Involvement Raises Questions

The presence of TABC has led to speculation that the raid may be focused on the club’s alcohol licence or how it handles alcohol service, rather than the poker operation itself.

Texas poker rooms exist in a legal grey area. While not explicitly licensed like casinos, many have operated for years with community and law enforcement tolerance. Thing is, the involvement of the alcohol commission could point to regulatory issues unrelated to gaming.

WPT Event Cancelled

The World Poker Tour was scheduled to host Lodge Wildcard: Wacky Weekend of Poker at the venue on Friday, March 13. That event has now been cancelled “due to unforeseen circumstances outside the WPT’s control that impact event operations.”

The WPT said updated dates and details would be announced once finalised, acknowledging the disappointment of players who had made plans to attend.

The situation remains unclear. No official statement from either The Lodge ownership or Texas authorities. Players and the wider poker community are waiting for answers about what triggered the raid and whether the popular venue will reopen.

What the team thinks

Sheena McAllister says:

This raid highlights the precarious legal position poker rooms occupy in jurisdictions without clear regulatory frameworks, a situation that would be unthinkable under a proper licensing regime like the UKGC’s. The fact that players cannot access their funds demonstrates exactly why robust consumer protection mechanisms must be built into any gambling operation from day one, not treated as an afterthought. Texas lawmakers would do well to study jurisdictions that have successfully balanced poker’s popularity with proper oversight, rather than leaving operators and players in this grey area limbo.