The Lodge lays off 200 staff
With no end in sight for the investigation into the Lodge Card Club, the owners have let all their 200+ staff go.
The fallout from the raid at the Lodge Card Club gets worse as now all 200+ staff have been laid off.
No charges have been brought forward, but the majority owner, Jason Levin, informed staff that the Williamson County District Attorney's office told Lodge lawyers they believe the club's business model does not comply with Texas law.
GG lodge GG pic.twitter.com/C8SuqDFhmg
— Cedrric “Ceddy” Trevino (@Poker_Traveler) March 24, 2026
The club will remain closed for the foreseeable future, as no indications have been given on how long the TABC investigation will last. Now, more than 200 staff are left looking for new employment.
Tournaments in licensed bars are illegal?
In other news, Todd Witteles acquired a 2005 letter from Attorney General Greg Abbott, giving an opinion on the legality of poker in Texas, which may explain the reason for the raid:
Here is the relevant part of the 2005 letter from then-AG Greg Abbott, giving an opinion regarding poker being illegal in Texas when alcohol is being served.
Opinion #GA-0335, 6/20/2005
This is being used against The Lodge.
Thanks to Shomari Williams for getting a copy. pic.twitter.com/0121Z8XsDa
— Todd Witteles (@ToddWitteles) March 24, 2026
His opinion was that real money poker tournaments in venues with liquor were illegal. This would explain why, specifically, it was the TABC that raided the Lodge, immediately after a large poker tournament.
None of which bodes well for poker in Texas, as the Lodge is very much the standard-bearer for poker in the state.
As the investigation continues, there are still some players unable to cash in chips or who are awaiting tournament payouts. When the club was initially raided, co-owner Doug Polk personally guaranteed these player funds.
