The latest chapter of The Lodge Card Club saga unfolded as the Round Rock, Texas, location remains closed indefinitely. The Lodge was raided early last week, with the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) accusing the card club of money laundering and illegal gambling.
Major developments came through as majority owner, Doug Polk, finally made a statement on the matter on Monday, while a 22-page affidavit from the TABC came through on Tuesday.
Polk maintains his innocence and denies any nefarious activity, while the TABC noted $1.35 million in suspicious deposits made from The Lodge into a sweeps bank account held by Tempus Holdings, Inc., another business associated with The Lodge Card Club.
Doug Polk makes statement
One of The Lodge Card Club’s majority owners and the most prominent face, Doug Polk, finally made his long-awaited statement. On Monday, via Twitter/X, Polk fully denied any wrongdoing while doubling down on his commitment to ensuring player funds.
“I did not participate in, and still have no knowledge of, any money laundering in the operation of the Lodge.
“I understand that some people assume that because there was a search warrant, a crime must have been committed, but that’s not really how the process works. A search warrant is just one step in an investigation, based on an affidavit from law enforcement.
“That affidavit has not been given to the Lodge or made public.
“My heart goes out to the hundreds of Lodge employees whose jobs are in jeopardy. These are good, kind, hardworking people, and it is painful to see them struggle through this uncertainty.
“I also care deeply about the situation for our members. There are numerous people with both chip balances and tournament payouts that cannot currently be processed. I want to reiterate that these members will be made whole, and I will personally make sure that happens, in coordination with my attorneys, so that it is done properly.
“With the advice of my lawyers, I am committed to cooperating with law enforcement officials, answering any questions they have, and doing everything I can to clear up the confusion of what has and has not been happening at The Lodge.
“I expect to provide another update soon, once more information is available and my attorneys have had an opportunity to fully assess the situation.
“In the meantime, I appreciate your patience and support.”
TABC affidavit comes to light
PokerNews reportedly obtained a 22-page affidavit from the TABC, where The Lodge Card Club was accused of breaking the following five Texas state laws:
- Texas Penal Code 71.02(a) – ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
- Texas Penal Code 34.02 – MONEY LAUNDERING
- Texas Penal Code 47.03 – PROMOTION OF GAMBLING
- Texas Penal Code 47.04 – KEEPING A GAMBLING PLACE
- Texas Penal Code 47.06 – POSSESSION OF GAMBLING DEVICE, EQUIPMENT OR PARAPHERNALIA
While the TABC isn’t tasked to investigate crime associated with gambling, they generally look at suspected crimes at locations licensed to sell alcohol.
This all comes after an investigation that started back in June 2024, after The Lodge Card Club was granted a liquor license.
The affidavit details an undercover investigation in which TABC officers entered The Lodge to play low-stakes cash games. One agent claimed, “he was never asked about providing proof of, or the need to purchase a membership while inside the club.”
It’s important to note that The Lodge, through a legal loophole, accepts membership fees and hourly seat fees rather than a rake, which is illegal in Texas.
The TABC is also investigating a series of “suspicious deposits” made in the first two months of 2025, where $1.35 million was deposited from The Lodge into a bank account held by Tempus Holdings, Inc.
Tempus Holdings, Inc. owns 63% of The Lodge and is owned by Doug Polk, Jake Abdalla, and Jason Levin.
New Lodge investors discovered
In the affidavit, several minor investors who own 7% or less of the card club were mentioned, including Brad Owen and Andrew Neeme, who have been the other main faces of The Lodge.
Poker pros Jamie Kerstetter, Nick Petrangelo, Ryan Fee, Jaman Burton, and ClubWPT Gold Creative Director and Polk’s personal video editor Thomas Keeling have all been listed as co-investors in The Lodge Card Club.
What happens next?
While no charges have been filed as of yet, The Lodge continues to be shut down, leaving its employees without work.
Given that the $1,700 Lodge Championship Series main event finished less than 12 hours prior to the raid, many players have likely not been paid their massive wins from the LCS.
Wayne Harmon won the LCS, pocketing nearly $204,000 for the win. It’s not known whether or not he has been paid out.
