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The affidavit pertaining to last week's raid and closure of The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, Texas revealed some interesting developments that included, but were not limited, to:
- Texas Penal Code 71.02(a) - ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
- Texas Penal Code 34.02 - MONEY LAUNDERING
- Texas Penal Code 47.03 - PROMOTION OF GAMBLING
- Texas Penal Code 47.04 - KEEPING A GAMBLING PLACE
- Texas Penal Code 47.06 - POSSESSION OF GAMBLING DEVICE, EQUIPMENT OR PARAPHERNALIA
On Thursday we learned that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is also involved, shedding some further light on what might be at issue here.
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) raided the establishment co-owned by poker pro and podcaster Doug Polk on March 10. The probe began June 2024. Polk has maintained he was not involved in any wrongdoing.
"The above listed transactions are believed to be in support of, and constitute evidence of the illegal activity taking place at the Lodge Card Club," the search warrant reads.
We are learning the scope of the investigation involved 20 agents.
The IRS angle is important in that it suggests potential federal financial scrutiny, not just state gambling issues. Prior actions against Texas-based card rooms were conducted exclusively by state authorities.
Previous raids of poker clubs in the state involved the legal grey area of businesses operating within the “Membership fee” model. The Lodge Card Club probe adds the alleged money laundering element, which can trigger harsher felony crimes if proven. Thus far there have been no charges or arrests in this matter.
With a prolonged investigation as we have here, this could signal that agents have compiled extensive recorded transactions and first-hand evidence of how the establishment operates.
Polk had previously referred to the matter as a "witch hunt".
This is an ongoing investigation with continued coverage here at Gambling911.com.
- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com
