button in SafariGrand Jury Ruling Paves Way for Raided Texas Poker Room to Reopen Soon
A representative for The Lodge Card Club presented arguments against prosecution to a grand jury on Tuesday in Williamson County, Texas, and the outcome couldn't have gone better for the Austin-area poker room.
The Lodge, co-owned by Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen, was raided on March 10 by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) for allegations of money laundering, illegal gambling, and organized crime. Assets, including over $1.3 million in cash, were seized, forcing the poker club to close.
Money laundering charges were later dropped, but the business remained closed and the TABC, led by agent Douglas Bell, held onto the money, citing probable cause of a crime. Tuesday was a huge day for The Lodge Card Club and its employees and players.
Future of Texas Poker Room
A grand jury does not permit media or defense attorneys to be present. The Lodge, however, hired a representative to make a presentation on behalf of the business in front of the grand jury.
There were multiple potential outcomes in play, including Polk and his main co-owners, Jake Abdalla and Jason Levin, being indicted on felony or misdemeanor charges of organized crime and illegal gambling. Indictment in a Texas grand jury requires at least nine of 12 jurors to vote in favor of indictment, a process known as a "true bill."
The other possible outcome was that there would be no indictment, or a "no bill," and that's precisely what happened as there weren't enough jurors who felt prosecutors showed probable cause of a crime being committed. Polk issued a statement on X.
The Lodge Card Club should now have its assets returned, paving way for reopening. Polk said the goal is to reopen within 2-3 weeks, although he acknowledged that could be a logistical challenge.
All employees were laid off in March and the poker room has been closed for nearly two months. The Lodge will have a tall task on its hands re-hiring nearly 200 employees and planning out other operational tasks, which could take a month or so to complete.
The grand jury decision ends a nearly two-month legal battle that has kept one of the biggest poker brands in Texas out of business, an outcome that should benefit the Texas poker industry as a whole.
