Reason for the Raid and What’s Under Investigation?
Initial speculation pointed towards issues with the alcohol license, but the reality is much more serious. TABC spokesperson Chris Porter confirmed that the raid was part of an ongoing investigation focused on alleged money laundering and illegal gambling activities.
Approximately 20 TABC agents, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office, and crucially, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) participated in the operation. The presence of the IRS suggests that this is not merely an administrative lapse but an investigation into financial crimes on a federal scale.
Texas is known for poker rooms operating in a "gray area," charging membership fees instead of a traditional rake to avoid accusations of illegal gambling. The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is currently available. No charges have been filed, nor has anyone been arrested yet.
Club's Reaction and Doug Polk’s ‘Personal Guarantee’
The Lodge issued a statement saying their lawyers are reviewing the situation, and the reasons for the search have not been fully explained to them. They emphasized their belief in their integrity and compliance with Texas laws.
Doug Polk, who was not present during the raid, made a strong statement, calling the process a “witch hunt.” To reassure the community, Polk personally guaranteed player funds would be safe. Players who had chips on the table at the time of the raid took them home with a promise they could redeem them once the club reopens.
The raid also forced the cancellation of the planned World Poker Tour (WPT) festival, which was scheduled to occur at the club over the weekend of March 13–15.
The @WPT Wildcard event at @LodgePokerClub has been postponed. pic.twitter.com/dtAzfbHvUn
— World Poker Tour (@WPT) March 10, 2026
Open Conflict: Polk vs Dwan
The chaos surrounding the raid was quickly exploited by Polk's long-time rival Tom Dwan. On social media platform X, Dwan mocked Polk, calling for self-examination: “You built your brand on going after people in times like these. Hope you reflect on the downsides of those choices,” Dwan wrote.
Polk's response was sharp and unrestrained: “I have personally guaranteed that all player funds will be safe as this witch hunt from TABC plays out. You still allegedly owe tens of millions. Shut the fuck up.”
I have personally guaranteed that all player funds will be safe as this witch hunt from TABC plays out
— Doug Polk (Code Doug) (@DougPolkVids) March 11, 2026
You still allegedly owe tens of millions. Shut the fuck up https://t.co/HqjpRHITuv
This conflict has deep roots. The bad blood between them goes back years. Polk has been vocal in criticizing Dwan for his alleged unpaid debts from high-stakes games, questioning his credibility publicly.
Furthermore, Dwan recently started attacking ClubWPT Gold, which Polk supports, accusing its operators of money laundering. For poker fans, their spat is nothing new, but the timing during the police raid at The Lodge has escalated this feud to its most intense level yet.
The situation in Texas remains tense, and the poker community awaits with bated breath to see if the investigation will lead to specific charges that could reshape the entire landscape of poker in the state.
Sources: PokerNews, X, PokerCity, FB/LodgeCardClub
