The Lodge Will Re-Open: All Charges Officially Rejected!

Why Did the Grand Jury Decide the Fate of The Lodge?

Some time ago The Lodge Card Club in Austin, Texas, became a subject of investigation by the Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission (TABC) due to suspicions of money laundering and illegal gambling. On March 10th, 2026, The Lodge was raided by the police following the cancellation of future events and closing of the club until its fate was decided.

Doug Polk and his colleagues were adamant that their club cooperated with TABC, followed the law to the letter.

When the club was indefinitely closed, Doug publicly promised to keep the community informed and also personally guaranteed the safety of players’ funds.

As a result of this struggle, The Lodge was forced to lay off its employees — more than 200 staff members — with unclear prospects for reunification. The poker community put aside its differences to support those who lost their jobs due to the witch hunt, joining James Galloway and Caitlin Comeskey‘s fundraising campaign to help.

Since then, lawyers for the company and its owners have been working tirelessly to resolve the issue, unable to share details with the community.

And it wasn’t until April 28th, 2026, that the good news came: Doug Polk and The Lodge shared that after reviewing the case against The Lodge, the jury found no evidence to support the charges and declined to indict.

Official Statements from Polk and the Lodge

Doug Polk was brief and emotional in his post on X, stating that ALL charges against him, his partners and the Lodge have been officially rejected:

The Lodge Austin’s statement was more nuanced and detailed:

“It’s been a long and tumultuous road, but we are happy to share a positive outcome for The Lodge and our devoted community of members and followers worldwide.

Earlier today, a Williamson County Grand Jury heard our case and declined to indict. The decision reflects that the investigation conducted by TABC, including the March 10, 2026, enforcement action, did not support charges of criminal conduct, consistent with our position throughout. We are thankful the grand jury carefully weighed the facts and law and decided in our favor.

Our commitment to operating ethically and in full compliance with Texas law was tested, but it’s a commitment we’ve never wavered from. As a premier Texas cardroom, we’ve always held ourselves to a higher standard, grounded in transparency, accountability, and respect for the law. That’s why our members can feel confident they’re part of a club that sets the standard for professionalism, trust, and experience in Texas.

In true Lodge fashion, we knew we were holding a strong hand, one built on integrity, discipline, and doing things the right way. With the support of our members, our team, and trusted legal counsel, we did not fold.”

The Lodge team also thanked its members and staff for tremendous support shown by them during this unpleasant event:

By the way, Brad Owen and other co-owners and investors of The Lodge also spoke up, mostly sharing their joy at how well it all ended. Brad literally wrote:

Luiz Phillipe Rizental aka Brazil God joined him in the excitement, stating:

“As a small investor and partner of the Lodge, I am very happy for Doug, the staff, and the players of the Lodge. It’s a great place, run by great people, and one of my favorite places to play. Excited for the re-open!”

However, some people were quite displeased by the fact that government can do things like that without any accountability, As Mike McDonald posted on X:

What’s Next for The Lodge Card Club in Austin?

The Lodge Austin shared that its team is already working to re-open as soon as possible with surprises for the community and the staff:

The statement continues:

“To our loyal staff, we look forward to having you walk through our doors once again. We know how disruptive this was to you and your families. Know that throughout this entire process, you have been at the forefront of our minds. We recognize that the success of the club is heavily reliant on you and the experience you create for our members. Returning employees can expect to learn more about a new rewards program designed just for you.”

However, the date of the “grand re-opening” and further information have not been released yet.