Rake-Free Report #11: The Latest Scoop on Texas & Ohio Poker Clubs

Hey poker fam!

Welcome to our April 2025 update. Pour yourself a drink and let's dive into what's happening with private poker clubs in the Lone Star State and the Buckeye State.

Texas: Still Walking the Legal Tightrope

Man, Texas poker clubs are still doing their dance with the law! These clubs are operating in that famous gray area of the Texas Penal Code - you know, the one that says games in private places are cool as long as nobody's making money off the actual gameplay. That's why you're paying those membership fees and hourly rates instead of seeing a rake coming out of your pots.

But let's be real - this setup is still raising eyebrows with the authorities.

Capitol Hill Drama

The lawmakers in Austin are at it again! March brought us two bills that are basically fighting each other:

• HB 2345 wants to make our clubs legit and regulated

• HB 2346 is trying to shut us down completely

Talk about a heads-up battle, right? This just shows how divided folks are about whether our poker rooms should even exist.

Busted!

Some clubs have been caught in the crosshairs lately:

• Copa Club in Westlake got raided in February by the Tarrant County Sheriff. Word is they weren't upfront about their poker operations when they applied for their business license. Rookie mistake!

• Remember when Watauga Social Lounge got raided during that $100K guaranteed tournament? Still hurts to think about all those chips sitting abandoned on the tables.

The Cool Kids on the Block

• Texas Card House is still the OG. They fought off Dallas city attorneys who tried to shut them down, and the Board of Adjustment had their back. Respect!

• Peaks Social Club in Dallas is the new kid trying to make a name for itself. They've got 11 tables and big dreams of expanding.

• Champions Club Texas in Houston is taking things to another level - poker room, boutique hotel, and dining all in one spot. Fancy!

• Rustlers Poker & Billiards Club down in San Antonio has created a sweet setup at The Village at Ingram Park. They're not just about poker - they've got those custom games like Texas Bullseye and Party Pair, plus pool and darts when you need a break from the felt. They're all about playing by the rules with their membership model.

What's Really Going On

We're seeing more and more "game rooms" popping up across Texas - and let's be clear, many of these aren't legit private social clubs. They're running illegal slot machines based purely on chance, while some of the more transparent operations are using skill-based games that actually comply with BOA licensing.

And get this - State Senator Carol Alvarado is pushing Senate Joint Resolution 16, which could bring seven resort casinos to Texas plus sports betting! But don't hold your breath - it needs two-thirds approval in the legislature and then voters would have to give it the thumbs up.

Ohio: Playing by the Rules (or Else!)

Ohio isn't messing around with its poker clubs. The regulations are tight, and they're cracking down hard on anyone stepping out of line.

The Hammer Comes Down

• Perkins Township put the brakes on any new poker clubs as of January. If you're already open like Ship It Poker Club, you're golden - and probably loving the lack of new competition!

• Statewide, the authorities went on a tear in April, grabbing nearly 200 illegal slot machines and arresting the folks running them. Not a good day for those operators!

The Rulebook

In Ohio, the law says businesses can't profit from poker games, period. Taking a rake is a no-go. The only folks who can run certain gaming activities are charitable organizations that have been around for at least two years.

The slot situation is interesting too - they're only legal when run by qualified charities that meet the state's strict criteria. And those skill-based amusement machines? They have to follow the Ohio Casino Control Commission's rules - prizes can't be cash and can't exceed $10 wholesale value.

But here's the thing - the enforcement team is stretched thin, so some illegal machines are slipping through disguised as skill-based games.

Bottom Line

The poker club scene in Texas and Ohio remains a wild ride! Texas is all over the place with legislation, enforcement, and dreams of bigger gambling operations, while Ohio keeps tightening the screws with clear lines between what charitable organizations can do and what commercial operations can't.

If you're playing or running a club in either state, keep your ear to the ground - this landscape changes faster than a flush draw on the river!

Catch you at the tables!