After three years of legal wrangling, the Texas Card House (TCH) has emerged victorious against the city of Dallas. The case, which reached the state’s highest court, ended when the Texas Supreme Court refused to hear the city’s final appeal, effectively settling the matter in TCH’s favor. The decision closes a drawn-out dispute that began in 2020 when TCH was first granted a permit to operate in Dallas, only to later face orders to shut down.

Dallas Card Room Secures Legal Victory

TCH, owned by Ryan Crow, operates six clubs across Texas, including two in the Dallas area. With over 75,000 members according to its website, the card room has long argued that its business model complies with state law. By charging membership and seat fees instead of collecting rake, TCH and other poker clubs classify themselves as private social establishments rather than gambling houses.

According to PokerNews, the legality of that model has been a point of contention for years, as Texas Penal Code Section 47.04 prohibits gambling but provides a loophole through “private place” safe harbor language. While some cities such as Austin and San Antonio have accepted and even regulated these clubs, Dallas officials fought against the interpretation, leading to the prolonged legal battle.

Andrew Espinoza, Dallas’ chief building official, spearheaded the city’s efforts. He argued that TCH’s certificate of occupancy had been issued “in error,” contending that the poker room violated Texas’ prohibition on gambling. The Board of Adjustment disagreed and sided with TCH, prompting Espinoza to take the case to court multiple times.

The city initially prevailed in one ruling, but subsequent appeals reversed the decision. On August 27, 2024, the Fifth District Court of Appeals backed TCH once more. Espinoza then filed a final petition to the Texas Supreme Court, which declined review on September 5, 2025.

The city’s battle against poker clubs has proven extraordinarily expensive. According to the Dallas Observer, by June 2023, the City Council had already committed $370,000 in legal fees to back Andrew Espinoza in his effort to revoke certificates of occupancy from TCH and another club, Shuffle 214. That month, council members approved an additional $70,000, bringing the potential cost of the litigation up to $620,000.

At the time, council members Chad West and Omar Narvaez questioned the spending, arguing that pursuing a ban only risked driving poker underground. West remarked that continuing the suit was “ridiculous” and pressed city staff for updates on a possible ordinance that would establish a legal path for poker clubs to operate. While city attorneys insisted it was necessary to defend a trial court ruling that favored Dallas, the appeals process would ultimately prove futile.

The fight proved costly. Reports show Dallas allocated $500,000 for the legal challenge, with Espinoza’s office alone receiving more than $370,000 in 2023 for litigation expenses. Additional funds were spent in 2024 and 2025, ultimately leaving taxpayers to shoulder the bill for a case that ended in defeat.

TCH owner Ryan Crow described the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the appeal as the likely end of the matter. “This ruling was the biggest possible win to protect our right to play poker,” Doug Polk echoed on X. “Shuffle up and deal!”

Rivals Unite to Protect Texas Poker

Perhaps one of the most surprising developments was the support TCH received from its primary competitor, The Lodge Card Club. Co-owned by Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen, The Lodge filed an amicus brief in August 2024 defending poker clubs’ legal standing.

The brief argued that poker rooms had operated for years with the knowledge of authorities and under the safe harbor provisions of Texas law. It also emphasized the economic benefits of poker clubs, warning that closures would eliminate jobs, reduce tax revenues, and damage surrounding businesses.

Polk, who has frequently criticized Dallas officials’ stance, celebrated the Supreme Court decision. “Yesterday was a tremendous victory for poker in the state of Texas,” he said, raising a glass of champagne alongside his partners.

Although The Lodge competes directly with TCH, Polk and his co-owners saw the case as a broader threat to the industry. Their backing highlighted the shared concern among operators that adverse rulings could trigger widespread shutdowns across Texas.

The ruling solidifies, at least for now, the right of card clubs to operate under their current model. For players, it means continued access to poker in Dallas and beyond. For operators, it provides a measure of clarity in an otherwise uncertain legal landscape.

Still, questions remain. Texas’ gambling laws remain strict, and interpretations differ across jurisdictions. As D Magazine noted, if Crow had lost, “it would have likely meant the closure of hundreds of similar poker rooms across the state.” For now, Texas poker players can breathe easier, but future challenges to card clubs’ legal standing remain a distinct possibility.