World Poker Tour Postponed After Texas Poker Room Raid

The World Poker Tour postponed its upcoming Texas festival after state and federal authorities raided one of the most prominent poker rooms in the country. On March 10, a multi-agency team searched The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, near Austin. The operation forced the cancellation of a tournament weekend set to begin just days later.

What Happened at The Lodge

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at The Lodge Card Club early Tuesday morning. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission led the operation, joined by its Financial Crimes Unit and Special Investigations Unit. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service also took part. Around 20 agents participated in the search.

Investigators tied the raid to an ongoing inquiry into suspected money laundering and illegal gambling. No arrests followed. Authorities have not announced any criminal charges.

Players inside the room had to leave with their chips. Some players reported online that staff asked them to show identification before exiting. Authorities have not confirmed why. The search took place roughly 16 hours after the Lodge Championship Series Main Event finished at the venue.

The Lodge Card Club and Its Owners

The Lodge holds a strong reputation as the largest poker room in Texas. Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen bought ownership stakes in 2022. Since then, the club has built a following through high-stakes cash games and its Poker at the Lodge livestream brand. A restaurant and bar joined the main room in 2024.

After the search, The Lodge sent a message to its members confirming that lawyers had begun reviewing the situation. The club said authorities had not explained the reasons behind the warrant. It also confirmed plans to stay closed during the investigation. Polk was not at the venue during the raid. He said he was gathering more information before making a public statement.

World Poker Tour Postponed: The WPT Wildcard Event

The World Poker Tour postponed the WPT Wildcard: Wacky Weekend of Poker, scheduled for March 13 to 15. The tour cited circumstances outside its control that affected event operations. It acknowledged that many players had made plans to attend and said new dates would follow once things became clearer.

This was also the second WPT postponement in a short stretch. The tour had already delayed the WPT Prime Cyprus Championship earlier in March. Travel and safety concerns linked to military tensions involving Iran drove that decision.

The Legal Grey Zone Around Texas Poker Clubs

The raid draws attention to the complicated legal situation surrounding poker rooms in Texas. The state bans most forms of gambling. It has no dedicated regulator for card clubs or casino-style venues. Traditional casinos are not permitted.

Many Texas poker clubs use a private-membership model. They charge membership dues or hourly seat fees rather than raking pots. Operators argue this keeps them within state social gambling laws, since the house does not profit directly from individual hands.

Critics disagree. They argue the clubs still benefit financially from the gambling at their tables. Because no dedicated regulator exists, enforcement actions tend to pull in multiple agencies with overlapping authority. The Lodge raid followed exactly that pattern.

What Comes Next

The investigation stays active. The Lodge has not set a reopening date. Players and organizers are waiting for updates before making further plans. The World Poker Tour postponed the Texas event with the intention of rescheduling, but no new date is confirmed. How the investigation concludes could carry consequences beyond The Lodge and reshape how authorities treat the Texas poker club model going forward.