Doug Polk spoke publicly for the first time since the March 10 raid of The Lodge Card Club, releasing a 22-minute YouTube video in which he said that players holding outstanding chips will be repaid, even if The Lodge cannot cover them itself.
"If The Lodge does not make these people whole, I will," Polk said. "I'm taking on seven-figures in personal liability. Not because I have to, but because I want to and I don't want anyone that's involved with this to end up losing their money."
The Lodge was raided by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on March 10 as part of an illegal gambling and money laundering investigation. The club shut down and laid off hundreds of employees following the raid. Under Texas law, authorities have 30 days from the raid to file criminal charges. If no charges are filed by April 9, the seized assets are likely to be returned and the club could reopen.
Polk Defends the Business Model
Polk, a three-time WSOP bracelet winner, said making the video was a difficult call while under investigation but felt he owed players and former employees a direct response.
He said The Lodge operated under Texas Penal Code 47.04, which permits poker games where no rake is collected from pots. The Lodge generates revenue through monthly membership fees and hourly seat fees rather than rake.
"As for economic benefit, really what that has boiled down to is there cannot be an economic benefit within the hand itself," Polk said. "So, essentially, 100% of the gambling must go to the player."
Polk pushed back on the money laundering label in the warrant, explaining that the wire transfers cited in the 22-page affidavit are standard practice at high-stakes rooms for player safety.
"In this situation, I believe that what they're saying is that, because we think this is illegal gambling, all of the transactions are, thus, money laundering," Polk said. "There's nothing suspicious about doing that from my perspective. We are trying to operate in accordance with the law."
He also noted that The Lodge received a liquor license from the TABC in 2024, and that other Texas card rooms hold the same license and host tournaments under the same conditions without facing prosecution.
Employees and Reopening
Polk said the layoffs were hard to watch.
"When I saw that we had let go of the employees, I did feel a little bit upset for our people," he said. "These are good, hard-working people."
He did not rule out reopening, saying the club is not permanently closed, and dismissed theories about competitor involvement in the raid. He denied any knowledge of money laundering at The Lodge.
Polk said he hopes the club recovers its seized assets and repays chip holders directly. Until then, he said, the personal guarantee stands.
