Texas’ Largest and Most Popular Poker Club Raided by Police

On Sunday, the largest and to the highest degree pop poker order inwards Texas was raided inwards the midriff of a tournament. Police fined at to the lowest degree 49 players, arrested half-dozen staff members, and seized $132,840 inwards guaranteed appreciate money at the Watauga Social Lounge nigh Dallas.

According to Pokernews.com, the bust occurred during Clarence Day 2 of the venue’s $100K-guaranteed Fall Classic Poker Main Event. In add-on to the appreciate pool, an unrevealed amount of immediate payment on paw was taken. The players inwards attending were from each one fined a reported $360.

Texas Book ‘Em

The reason out for the raid is unknown region at the time of this report. Gambling is illegal inward the res publica of Texas. However, a loophole exists inward Lone-Star State Penal Code 47.04, which permits salamander clubs to control if the games don’t bestow “economic do good other than personal winnings.”

This makes it illegal for stove poker clubs to use up rakes out of cash gritty pots. So stove poker “social clubs” control throughout Texas, earning their income past charging membership and sit down fees instead of rake. According to Pokernews.com, “most law enforcement seems to live with the rooms without a great deal resistance. But raids inward sure jurisdictions get occurred.” Despite the tax revenue they bring forth for the state, some inward powerfulness require them all gone.

The lookup stock warrant obtained and tweeted past Pokernews.com shows that Tarrant County authorities were authorized to seize “currency, gambling proceeds, financial instruments, and or other items of value … relating to obtaining, transferring, secreting or outlay big sums of money made from piquant in specified unlawful activities.” The stock warrant was signed by Judge George IV Gallagher on Friday morning.

The Watauga Social Lounge opened inwards January, with a grand opening night observance attended by Watauga city manager Chester A. Arthur L. Miner.

Dicey Time for Texas Poker

The raid on Watauga comes as the TX Supreme Court is expected to try a Dallas cause intriguing the functioning of the Lone-Star State Card House. In January, the city’s plank of readjustment revoked the club’s certificate of occupancy.

The owner kept the room opened piece filing an appeal, which he won inward March. If the typesetter's case makes it that high, a ruling could negatively wallop poker game rooms throughout the state.

Owners of the Watauga Social Lounge told Pokernews.com they contrive to issue a financial statement in the coming days.