Houston Police Raid 101 Poker Club in Katy Over Suspected Rake Collection
Houston police raided the 101 Poker Club at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, detaining staff and arresting one non-dealer. Sources report the club collects rake from pots despite membership fees, which may violate Texas Penal Code Chapter 47 that requires no-rake operations. This fits a pattern of raids on Houston card rooms.
SCCG Take — The action exposes compliance vulnerabilities for Texas poker rooms operating near the legal line on rake, pointing to sustained enforcement pressure in Houston.
Houston police raided the 101 Poker Club in Katy, Texas, late Thursday morning, shutting down the card room at around 11:30 a.m. local time. Officers drew guns and removed players from games in progress. A video obtained from outside the venue shows law enforcement blocking the entrance.
As reported by PokerNews, the precise reason for the raid has not been released. The outlet has sought comment from the Houston Police Department and continues to await a response. This is a developing story.
Details From the Raid and Its Immediate Effects
Players were released shortly after entry, but dealers and staff were detained. At least one staff member who was not a dealer was arrested. The club typically runs 8-10 games on weekdays, mostly low- to mid-stakes No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha. It also operates a full kitchen regarded for high-quality food among Texas poker rooms.
Legal Framework and Reported Practices at 101 Poker Club
Texas Penal Code Chapter 47 permits spreading poker legally only if no rake is collected from pots. Compliant rooms instead charge membership and time-based seat fees. Sources told PokerNews that 101 Poker Club charges membership fees but has been taking chips out of pots. It remains unclear whether this prompted the raid.
Some players entering the club are not always checked for valid membership. Regulars often enter unchecked, while unknown players are typically asked to show proof. When the floor is busy, some unverified players can gain entry. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) cited similar membership verification failures in its March raid on The Lodge Card Club.
Houston appears to be increasing enforcement against illegal gambling. Many local rooms are said to be collecting rake unlawfully. The Lucky J Social Club was raided recently, has reopened, and now offers non-poker table games that are not legal in Texas.
Reporting: PokerNews
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Gaming, betting and prediction markets — the desk’s read, every weekday.
Subscribe →