Poker Writer
Co-owner of The Lodge card club, Doug Polk, broke his silence with his first YouTube video following the shutdown and explained what happened from his perspective. In a 22-minute YouTube video, Polk breaks down the details that led to the raid and shutdown of The Lodge.
Polk begins the video with a brief history of how he came to own The Lodge five years ago. He mentions how poker clubs can operate in Texas as long as they do not take a rake. The business model has endured legal challenges, notably triumphing against the city of Dallas last year.
Polk Says Many Houston Card Clubs Take a Rake
Polk highlights some interesting aspects of the industry. For instance, he claimed that many clubs, especially those in Houston, do not follow the cardinal rule of legal Texas gambling and do indeed take a rake.
On raked games in Texas, Polk said:
100% of the gambling proceeds must go to the player. There are about 70-80 poker clubs around the state and I would say about 40-50 of them operate lawfully but there are a lot of ones that do not. This has been a gigantic problem in Harris County (Houston), where many clubs are openly raking from the table and nobody has been able to do anything about it. It makes it harder for lawful clubs to operate.
Polk then went on to say he finds the shutdown of The Lodge in Round Rock to be particularly confusing because he says they are perhaps the most stringent card club in the entire state as far as following the law. Additionally, he noted that a competing club in the area remains in operation.
Polk did specify that he wasn’t trying to accuse competitors of undermining The Lodge. He noted that they would have little reason to do so, as that would only turn the eventual spotlight back on their own clubs.
Charges Still Not Filed in The Lodge Case
The three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner emphasized again that no charges have been filed in the case.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, he said, must file charges within 30 days of the raid, or they must return seized money. So, the TABC has until April 9 to file something. If charges are filed, then the money can remain in possession of the state. According to some reports, agents seized more than $700,000 from The Lodge’s business accounts.
Polk Shoots Down Rumors
Polk also took time in the video to address rumors circulating about the reason for the shutdown of The Lodge.
He shot down the idea that the federal government is behind it. He also dismissed the notion that The Lodge had run afoul of banking laws.
Another popular rumor was that forces behind a potential Texas casino have been proactive in shutting down card clubs to eliminate competition. Polk ruled that out, saying that casino owners would not care about card clubs before there is even a casino in the works.
Polk Guarantees He Will Make Players Whole
The video ends with a guarantee. Polk takes personal accountability for anyone who is owed money by The Lodge.
If The Lodge does not make these people whole, I will. 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.
I’m hoping The Lodge gets to reopen with its money back and pay people out themselves. But only time will tell.
