The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, Texas has no timeline to reopen after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission raided the property last week, froze the club’s bank accounts, and left players waiting on outstanding payouts.
In a post on X on Sunday, the club confirmed the TABC made no arrests and has not filed charges against management or ownership. But with assets frozen, the cardroom cannot cash out chips or cover tournament obligations still owed to players.
The most prominent player caught in the fallout is Wayne Harmon, an Oregon native who won the $1,700 Lodge Championship Series main event for nearly $204,000 the day before the raid. If Harmon accepted a check or wire transfer rather than cash, the full amount may still be outstanding.
“As much as we would like to provide a detailed update, we are unable to do so at this time because, despite our legal team’s best efforts to obtain additional information from the authorities, very little information has been made available,” the club said in a statement.
The Lodge added that management is “cooperating fully so that any concerns can be addressed.”
Polk Denies Wrongdoing, Personally Guarantees Player Funds
Co-owner Doug Polk addressed the situation Monday morning, denying any personal involvement in money laundering and stating he had no knowledge of anyone associated with The Lodge engaging in illicit activity. The three-time WSOP bracelet winner personally guaranteed that affected players would be made whole.
“I want to reiterate that these members will be made whole,” Polk said.
Polk has also publicly described the law enforcement action as a “witch hunt.”
The raid involved not only the TABC but also the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and the IRS. While the TABC does not regulate gambling in Texas, which has no commercial casinos or state gaming authority, the commission typically acts on suspected crimes at alcohol-licensed venues. The initial stated basis for the raid was a money laundering investigation. No similar actions have been reported at other poker rooms across the state. The Lodge’s San Antonio location remains open.
Closure Threatens 200 Jobs
The club’s statement raised the possibility that The Lodge may not reopen at all. Management warned that a prolonged shutdown would affect roughly 200 staff members, along with vendors, partners, and community members who depend on the business.
“We obviously believe that the longer our doors remain closed, the greater the impact becomes,” the club wrote on X.
The Lodge said it remains hopeful the matter can be resolved quickly but acknowledged having no control over how long the process takes.
“We are upset and frustrated by the disruption this has caused and remain hopeful that we will be able to work constructively and with the authorities in a very timely manner so that we can move forward and reopen our doors,” the club said. “All we can do at the moment is to promise to share more information as soon as we are able.”
