No Charges Yet But Authorities Still Plan to Keep $2,000,000 Seized from The Lodge

Texas authorities retaining \$2 million from The Lodge under civil asset forfeiture — without filed charges — illustrates the persistent legal risk at the edges of US poker regulation. For players choosing between live Texas social clubs and online platforms, the risk calculus has shifted: established online rooms like PokerStars (MI/NJ/PA regulated via FanDuel), Americas Cardroom, and GGPoker operate under clearer frameworks than Texas's social club grey area. The practical question: where does your rake go if a room shuts down mid-session? Our room reviews include licensing status and fund protection policies for all eight recommended rooms.