Texas Poker Club Investigated for Illegal Gambling


State investigators searched a Round Rock poker club last week as part of a two-year financial probe involving undercover operations, according to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Search warrant affidavits outline investigators’ central claim: that multiple people and businesses worked together to run and profit from illegal gambling, funnel money through accounts to make it appear legitimate and operate a venue and equipment used for those games.

About 20 TABC agents, working with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service, executed a search warrant at the Lodge Card Club, the agency said.

The club said it is cooperating with investigators and has been advised not to reopen while the case is ongoing.

The Lodge Card Club operates as a members-only venue with round-the-clock cash games and multiple daily tournaments. It describes itself as the largest card club in Texas and one of the largest in the world, with more than 60 tables. The business holds a state mixed beverage permit, according to TABC.

That members-only model has been used by some Texas card rooms to argue they host legal social gambling rather than operate casinos. But investigators allege The Lodge crossed that line.

According to the affidavit, the club made money from games through seat fees and tournaments, allowed broad public access despite the “private club” designation and operated inside a liquor-permitted venue where real-money poker tournaments are not allowed under state guidance.

The affidavit identifies Jake Abdalla, Doug Polk and Jason Levin as primary owners and managers, stating the three control a combined 63.3% stake in Tempus Holdings Inc., which operates The Lodge. Investigators allege they, along with other individuals and entities, were involved in gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place and money laundering.

No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed, said Chris Porter, TABC’s director of communications. The investigation is ongoing.

In a statement posted to social media, the club said its assets and bank accounts have been frozen.

“We recognize that the closure has had a serious impact for many,” The Lodge wrote on Instagram. “More than 200 staff members rely on The Lodge for their livelihoods, and many of our members have funds tied up in chips or pending tournament payouts.”

The club said it’s unclear when it will reopen.

According to the affidavit, written by TABC investigator Doug Bell, the case began June 7, 2024, after he reviewed a confidential report describing “questionable financial activity” tied to the club.

The affidavit also cites a public complaint filed April 3, 2024, referencing a 2005 opinion by then-Attorney General Greg Abbott stating that businesses with on-premise alcohol permits cannot host poker tournaments with real money at stake. The club’s mixed-beverage permit was issued to Sleamond’s Ice LLC, which authorities described as an associated entity with Tempus.

Texas law broadly prohibits betting money or other things of value on card games, operating a gambling place or profiting from one. Exceptions for social gambling are narrow: games must take place in a private setting, no one can receive an economic benefit beyond personal winnings and all players must have equal odds.

The affidavits said bank records showed money being spent on things like poker tables, livestream setups and advertising, along with large amounts of money moving between related companies and getting wired to professional poker players.

Bell conducted surveillance on June 13, 2024, and reported the entrance appeared open to the public. Two weeks later, he began subpoenaing financial records tied to the club and its owners, eventually expanding to a network of banks and financial institutions.

According to the affidavit, one Tempus Holdings account received about $2.36 million in cash deposits between November 2023 and June 2024, including roughly $1.13 million in January alone.

Investigators said records show money spent on poker tables, livestream equipment and advertising, as well as large transfers between related companies and payments to professional poker players.

The affidavit also describes a series of undercover visits to the club. Agents reported buying memberships, exchanging cash for chips, paying seat fees, playing for money, ordering drinks and cashing out winnings.

Bell wrote that some people entered without verifying membership, that the club advertised “Play Poker Now” along Interstate 35, and that a Jan. 30 tournament appeared to leave $1,080 with the house. He cited ATMs, livestream operations and repeated cash play as additional indicators of what investigators allege was an illegal gambling operation.

Lodge co-owner Doug Polk, a professional poker player, said he has “no knowledge of any money laundering” and will cooperate with investigators.

“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,” he wrote on X. “A search warrant is just one step in an investigation, based on an affidavit from law enforcement.”

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…

— Doug Polk (Code Doug) (@DougPolkVids) March 16, 2026

The Lodge also operates a San Antonio location, which remains open and is not part of the investigation.