Poker House Dallas, one of the largest poker rooms in Texas, could shut its doors this month if it ends up losing its case in the appeals court. The card room is currently involved in a legal battle with city authorities over a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issue, with officials claiming the club is not authorized to run a poker room in the Dallas area.
Poker House Dallas Awaits Judgment from Appeals Court
In a recent statement, Poker House Dallas said it would be forced to terminate its operations effective May 23 if the appeals court does not rule in its favor.
In the meantime, the card room is offering a discount on its hourly seat rate to attract players as it awaits the verdict. The club is now only charging $8/hour, down from the original $13/hour.
The club is asking for the community’s support as it fights to remain open, continue to spread poker games, and keep the jobs of its staff.
Complicated Gambling Laws in Texas
Texas implements strict anti-gambling laws. Casino gambling and any other activities that involve the collection of rake from players are currently illegal in the state.
But poker rooms have found a way to operate “legally” by adopting a membership model whereby they only charge seat/membership fees on players instead of collecting rake. Still, some cities argue that poker room operations are prohibited under Texas laws, leading to legal battles with card clubs.
