The World Poker Tour has delayed a scheduled tournament festival at The Lodge Card Club in Texas after authorities conducted a law enforcement operation at the venue earlier this week. The WPT Wildcard: Wacky Weekend of Poker event, which was set to take place March 13–15, will now occur at a later date as organizers await further developments related to the investigation.

Authorities Investigate The Lodge Card Club

The tour confirmed the change through an official announcement shared online, stating that the postponement was necessary due to operational challenges created by the situation at the venue. The decision followed a raid carried out by state authorities at the Round Rock poker room near Austin.

The Lodge is widely known as the largest poker room in Texas and is owned by several prominent poker personalities, including Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen.

State authorities executed a search warrant at the club on Tuesday, March 10, in the morning. Officials from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission took part in the operation along with members of its Financial Crimes Unit and Special Investigations Unit. The investigation also involved the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service.

Authorities said the enforcement action forms part of an ongoing inquiry examining suspected money laundering and illegal gambling activity. Around twenty agents participated in the search.

At this stage, investigators have not announced any arrests or criminal charges related to the operation. Officials have also declined to provide additional details while the inquiry continues.

Reports indicate that the raid occurred roughly sixteen hours after the conclusion of the Lodge Championship Series Main Event, which had just finished at the venue.

Players who were inside the poker room during the operation said they were asked to leave the property and take their chips with them. According to some reports circulating among players online, patrons were required to show identification before exiting the building. Authorities have not confirmed the reason for that procedure.

Tournament Plans Disrupted

The enforcement action led to the cancellation of the WPT festival that had been scheduled to begin later that week. In its statement regarding the delay, the World Poker Tour wrote:

“The decision was made due to circumstances outside of WPT’s control that impact event operations. We recognize that many players had planned to attend and appreciate their understanding. Updated dates and additional details will be announced once finalized. Thank you for your patience and continued support.”

Organizers said new dates for the tournament series will be announced once the situation surrounding the venue becomes clearer.

The delayed tournament had been expected to attract players from across the region and was part of the tour’s broader schedule of special events.

The disruption marks the second recent scheduling change for the World Poker Tour. Earlier this month, the tour postponed the $1,100 WPT Prime Cyprus Championship after military tensions involving Iran created travel and safety concerns for staff and players.

Following the raid, The Lodge Card Club sent a message to members addressing the situation and confirming that legal counsel had begun reviewing the circumstances surrounding the search.

The venue wrote: “Our attorneys are working to understand the reasons behind the search but at this time, the situation has not been explained to us.”

The club also stated that it plans to remain closed while the investigation continues.

Doug Polk, one of the poker room’s owners, said for Poker News that he was not present when the search occurred and is gathering more information before making a public statement.

The Lodge has built a strong reputation in the Texas poker community since Polk, Neeme, and Owen acquired ownership stakes in 2022.

The card room gained additional visibility through livestream broadcasts of high-stakes poker games produced under the Poker at the Lodge brand.

The venue also expanded its operations in 2024 with the addition of a restaurant and bar connected to the poker room.

Poker rooms in Texas operate within a complex legal environment. The state prohibits most forms of gambling, and traditional casinos are not authorized.

Many poker clubs use a private-membership model to run games. Instead of collecting a percentage of the pot, the clubs charge membership dues or hourly seat fees. Operators argue that this structure allows them to comply with Texas laws governing “social gambling,” since the house does not directly profit from individual hands.

Critics contend that the clubs still benefit financially from the activity taking place at their tables.

Texas does not have a dedicated regulatory agency overseeing poker rooms or casino-style gambling operations. Because of this, enforcement actions often involve multiple agencies, including local law enforcement and regulators responsible for alcohol licensing.

For now, the reopening timeline for The Lodge Card Club remains unclear, and both players and tournament organizers are waiting for updates while authorities continue their investigation.