In a development that has stunned and disappointed Texas poker enthusiasts, the City of Farmers Branch, located on the outskirts of Dallas, has decidedly turned down an opportunity to curate the state’s biggest haven for poker – a colossal 47,000 square foot elite card room. Entailing a vote of 4-1, the city council surprisingly passed on an ordinance to legalize poker rooms in the city.
This comes as a shocking jolt for Doug Polk, celebrated three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, who had envisioned this prospective landmark and was geared up to introduce it to the public. Polk aspired to create more than just a poker room, he dreamed of an entertainment hub replete with a stylish bar, an exclusive restaurant, and an exciting array of 100 poker tables.
Beyond its sheer magnitude and grandeur, Polk’s desired facility also held promising prospects of delivering economic stability and growth to Farmers Branch. With an estimate of creating around 300 jobs, this poker room aimed to pull in a whopping 300,000 visitors per annum, positioning Farmers Branch on the international poker map.
Although left disappointed by the recent turn of events, Polk shared his thoughts in an interview with The Dallas Morning News. He expressed gratitude towards his staunch supporters and emphasized on the potential loss for both residents and outsiders making a move towards Farmers Branch. His spirits undeterred, Polk hinted at shifting his ambitious vision elsewhere, underscoring the significant potential he believes the region holds for the poker industry.
Despite a backdrop of uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding the legality of poker clubs statewide, Polk, the proud owner of Texas’ largest standing card room, the Lodge Card Club, was prepared to seize the opportunity in Farmers Branch. Just as they operate under a loophole in the law that allows poker rooms under the guise of private clubs, Polk envisioned a similar setup in Farmers Branch, thereby creating a stirring controversy over the dual interpretation of the law.
The anticipation comes on the heels of Dallas, a neighboring city that legalized poker in 2019, only to revoke licenses by 2022, denoting clubs as “keeping a gambling place”. This saw the city’s pioneers, the Texas Card House, involved in an ongoing legal tussle, though allowed to operate until a resolution of their lawsuits.
Brushing against the legal framework and stirring the statewide poker industry, this contentious matter sees a likely showdown at the Texas Supreme Court, and is poised to conclusively resolve the simmering question of the legality of poker clubs. Despite current hurdles, Doug Polk’s ambitious venture underscores the growing regional appetite for a thriving live poker industry in Texas.
