The Lodge Card Club confirmed on March 15 that all of its assets and bank accounts have been frozen. The freeze is part of the ongoing TABC and IRS investigation into suspected money laundering and illegal gambling. No charges have been filed and no reopening timeline has been given.
Over 200 staff members are out of work. Players have funds tied up in chips or pending tournament payouts with no way to cash out.
Doug Polk broke his silence on March 16 with a statement denying any knowledge of money laundering. For the full breakdown of the March 10 raid, the agencies involved, and the Texas legal context, see our original coverage.
What the Lodge Said on March 15
The Lodge posted a statement on X (Twitter) addressed to staff, members, and the wider poker community. The key points:
- Assets and bank accounts frozen as part of the ongoing investigation. The club has no access to its own funds.
- No charges filed against any owner or employee.
- Cannot reopen during the investigation. No timeline provided.
- Over 200 staff members rely on the Lodge for their livelihoods and are currently unable to work.
- Player funds remain tied up in chips and pending tournament payouts.
- 'Very little information' has been made available to the club's legal team about the reasons behind the investigation.
The statement also acknowledged the impact on vendors, partners, and the broader Round Rock community. The Lodge encouraged supporters to share messages publicly, and the response on X was substantial.
What this means for players: Polk personally guaranteed all player funds on March 11, estimated by Brad Owen at somewhere in the seven-figure range. But with the club’s bank accounts frozen, any payouts depend on Polk’s personal finances. Contact the club directly for updates.
Polk Breaks Silence on March 16
Six days after promising a detailed statement “within the next day,” Polk posted his response on X. He denied any personal involvement in or knowledge of money laundering at the Lodge. The search warrant affidavit has not been shared with the Lodge or made public.
Polk recommitted to his personal guarantee on player funds and confirmed he is cooperating with law enforcement. For the full breakdown of what he said and what the statement leaves out, see our coverage of Polk’s March 16 statement and what it doesn’t address.
Co-owners Andrew Neeme, Nik Airball, and Ethan “Rampage” Yau have still not commented publicly.
What Happens Next
Nothing has changed on the ground: no charges filed, no reopening date, and over 200 staff still out of work. With the Lodge closed indefinitely, many Texas regulars are looking at online poker as an immediate alternative.
Looking for somewhere to play? Our US poker sites page compares every room accepting players from Texas, including crypto options for fast deposits.
We’ll update as new information comes in. For ongoing coverage, follow our latest news.
