The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) raided The Lodge Card Club on Tuesday morning, leaving players and staff in shock.
Initially the authorities did not disclose the reason for their unannounced visit to the popular cardroom.
However, it was confirmed by the authorities later on that the onslaught was carried out because the Lodge Card Club is accused of running illegal gambling activities and money laundering.
At the moment no one has been arrested, and authorities indicated that investigation is still going on.
Authorities Investigate Possible Financial Crimes
The raid was part of a bigger investigation into financial crimes linked to the poker room, according to a spokesman for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
On March 10 a search and seizure of items was carried out at the poker room, according to a statement from Chris Porter, the agency's director of communications.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency team from the Financial Crimes Unit, the Special Investigations Unit, and the Operations Bureau of the commission.
Twenty TABC officers took part in the operation, and they were joined by officers from the IRS and the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.
According to authorities, the raid was carried out to determine whether the cardroom is involved in illegal gambling and money laundering.
Although the Texas commission doesn't have direct control over gambling establishments, it does monitor spots that sell alcoholic beverages.
Since the Lodge has a mixed drink permit the agency can scrutinise the poker room activities to determine whether there are illegal gambling activities.
Authorities indicated that despite the massive operation, no one was arrested during the raid. In the meantime detectives are still continuing with the investigation.
Poker Players Unable to Cash Out Chips
The poker room turned chaotic as agents stormed the premises unannounced.
Authorities instructed players at the club to leave without cashing out their chips. Players were ordered to go home with their chips and come back later to exchange them for money.
The unexpected turn of events quickly spread through the poker community, especially on social media, where many players started debating about what happened at the popular Texas card room.
Recently, The Lodge has become one of the most famous places to play poker in the state. It draws both local players and famous poker players from around the world.
Doug Polk Promises Player Funds Are Safe
Popular poker streamer Doug Polk issued a statement immediately after the raid and assured players that their funds are safe.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Polk indicated that he would personally make sure that all player funds are safe.
Polk's statement comes after an online exchange with professional high-stakes poker player Tom Dwan, who asked what might happen to the money held at the club.
I have personally guaranteed that all player funds will be safe as this witch hunt from TABC plays out
— Doug Polk (Code Doug) (@DougPolkVids) March 11, 2026
You still allegedly owe tens of millions. Shut the fuck up https://t.co/HqjpRHITuv
Responding to the questions, Polk reassured players that their money was safe and that they would be able to cash out once the problem was fixed.
Additionally, he stated that he didn't like how the investigation was carried out and called it a "witch hunt" on social media.
Polk Says Full Statement Is Coming
Polk indicated he will make a detailed statement regarding the matter as soon as he has sufficient information.
According to Polk, he was not at the cardroom during the raid and is working to obtain a full report about the raid from the authorities.
There has not been a full statement from the authorities yet as of Thursday morning.
Furthermore, Polk mentioned he is willing to play "Durrr" in a heads-up battle on ClubWPT Gold in the future.
Would love to play Tom in my HU challenge on @ClubWPTGold
— Doug Polk (Code Doug) (@DougPolkVids) March 11, 2026
At the moment, players and fans are currently waiting to see how the investigation progresses and if the company will be officially charged.
Poker Community Reaction
The poker community had a lot to say about the whole incident.
@junglemandan:
Yeah man @TomDwan know you mean well man but Doug is right in this spot and generally handles business smoothly
— Daniel Cates 🇺🇸 🌎 (@junglemandan) March 11, 2026
@FarazJaka:
Good luck dealing with the bull shit Doug. 🙏
— Faraz Jaka (@FarazJaka) March 11, 2026
@Trabendo_daze:
Doug can I ask when you have personally guaranteed that all funds will be safe? I'm not aware of any official message and as a guy with $ in a box, I'd love to see one. Or is this it?
— Brendon Kaufman (@Trabendo_daze) March 11, 2026
@CSP_Trading:
doug i wasnt at the lodge but i have suffered tremendous emotional distress over this and would like 5000 dollars
— CSPTrading.eth (@CSP_Trading) March 11, 2026
@0dteKyle:
Lmao Doug so mad doubling down
— 0dteKyle🇺🇸 (@0dteKyle) March 11, 2026
One person just got raided by federal agents and hasn’t paid his players who played there and couldn’t cash out
The other person alledgely owes money
Hmmmmmmm
@ToddWitteles:
Honestly I feel the likelihood that players get paid is very very high.
— Todd Witteles (@ToddWitteles) March 11, 2026
The reason for this raid is likely a Texas legal technicality, and not anything Lodge has done wrong.
Remember, poker is not explicitly legal in a commercial setting in Texas, so it’s tricky for all rooms.
Bluffaces
