The Lodge Card Club moves toward reopening after Texas grand jury rejects charges

A Williamson County grand jury declined to indict poker pro and co-owner Doug Polk, his partners, and The Lodge Card Club on illegal gambling allegations, clearing the way for the return of seized cash and equipment and a potential reopening within weeks.

The decision ended a nearly two-month legal dispute that forced one of Texas’ largest poker clubs to shut down following a March 10 raid by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s Financial Crimes Unit.

The Austin-area poker room is co-owned by Polk, Andrew Neeme, Brad Owen, Jake Abdalla, and Jason Levin. Authorities seized more than $1.3 million in cash during the raid, while an April 8 filing in Williamson County’s 480th Judicial District Court allowed the state to continue holding more than $2 million in assets through a civil forfeiture case.

Reopening plans take focus

Polk announced the grand jury’s decision on social media and said the club’s money and equipment would be returned.

“Justice has prevailed,” Polk said. “The damage to our staff and members has been tremendous, and it is now time to rebuild. We will be putting together a kickoff event in the near future.”

He also said management hopes to reopen the card room “within a few weeks,” though he acknowledged that restarting operations could present logistical challenges.

The club laid off all employees in March after suspending operations. Nearly 200 workers were affected, and management now faces the task of rehiring staff before reopening.

When the layoffs were announced, Levin told employees the venue would close “for the foreseeable future” because “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.”

Investigation shifted before grand jury outcome

No criminal charges were filed immediately after the March raid. Money laundering allegations were later dropped. Prosecutors then focused on whether the club’s business model violated Texas gambling law.

Grand jury proceedings in Texas do not allow media or defense attorneys to attend. Prosecutors were required to convince jurors that probable cause existed that a crime had occurred.

Potential outcomes included felony or misdemeanor indictments tied to organized crime and illegal gambling allegations. Under Texas law, at least nine of 12 jurors must vote in favor of an indictment, known as a “true bill.”

That threshold was not met, resulting in a “no bill.”

Private club model remains under legal scrutiny

Poker rooms across Texas typically operate under a private membership structure. Instead of taking a rake from pots, operators charge membership fees or seat fees.

Operators have argued that the model complies with Texas Penal Code provisions that allow gambling in private settings when no participant receives an economic benefit beyond personal winnings and all players face equal risks apart from skill or luck.

According to the search warrant, investigators argued that The Lodge received an economic benefit by “charging membership fees and seat fees for individuals to gamble” and by “selling food, beverages, alcoholic drinks, merchandise, streaming poker play, and hosting poker tournaments.”

Players who were inside the club during the March raid said they were told to leave with their chips rather than cash them out.

Polk has denied wrongdoing throughout the case and previously described the investigation as a “witch hunt.”

The legality of Texas’ private poker club model remains unresolved and could ultimately be decided by the Texas Supreme Court.