Houston’s newest poker room, Lake Room Public Club, commenced operations on Dec. 15. Its recent opening comes as the future of poker in Texas hangs in the balance.
Court cases originating in Dallas, as well as legislation filed prior to the 2023 legislative session, indicate that Texas poker rooms, which already exist in a legal grey area, may be pushed out of the state.
Poker is normally popular inside Texas, nevertheless future is normally uncertain
Even with poker being technically illegal in Texas, nearly 58 poker rooms are available across the state. With Texas Hold’em being the most popular poker game currently, it’s hard to ignore the game’s connection to The Lone Star State.
Texas is also home to some of the legends of the game, with the likes of Doyle Brunson, T.J. Cloutier, and Sam Farha topping that list.
Over the years, the state has become a top destination for poker players to compete. Successful poker tournaments are routinely held in Texas cities such as Dallas, El Paso, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston.
Court cases and pending legislation at the Texas Capitol could potentially jeopardize the future of poker in Texas.
Lead-up to be able to grand beginning a success
The River Place Social Club, located at 2730 Fondren Road, is Houston’s newest luxury destination for big poker action. A soft launch took place over the weekend of December 15 for poker enthusiasts to experience the new venue.
Lake Room CEO Haig Papaian and his team spent the better part of 2022 preparing for the opening. Papaian stated that the goal was to provide the best possible gaming experience for players in Texas.
General Manager Rob Faber told PlayTexas that the club has been pleased with the turnout so far.
“Guests got to see the dealers and staff in action. We wanted guests to get a feel for the new place – the ambiance, signage – everything stayed open without any closure. We had two tournaments that weekend, which was a lot of fun, with many winners.
“A few more things need to be finalized. By January 23rd, we should be ready, and the grand opening will be a few days after that.”
Club manufactured donation to be able to local charitable during very soft open
One of the club’s goals is to change the negative image of social clubs in the state by promoting a clean and sophisticated environment to play in.
The club boasts 58 tables, each equipped with an automatic shuffle machine. There is also a VIP room and a variety of large-screen televisions. Games and other amenities are available in the lounge and dining area.
The poker offerings at the club are diverse and include various games and tournaments.
During the soft opening, the club hosted a no-limit Texas Hold ’em tournament with a $350 buy-in. Players had the opportunity to compete for a $10,000 prize pool with unlimited rebuys. The following day, the club held another no-limit Hold ’em tournament with a $5,000 buy-in and an optional $100 add-on.
The initial customers who joined the club during the soft launch had the opportunity to support a local charity. For every person who signed up during the opening weekend, the club donated 50% of the fees to the Houston Purple Santa Program, which provides gifts to underprivileged children. The club matched all donations up to $10,000.
The club is open 24/7, seven days a week.
The state of texas gambling regulations are convoluted
Despite the tremendous popularity of poker, betting on card games is technically illegal in Texas. Gambling laws in Texas are generally strict, only allowing residents and visitors to wager on horse and greyhound racing.
However, there are some exceptions to the laws. Social gambling, such as office pools, bingo, charity raffles, and card games, are legal.
Under the “private card games” law, social clubs believe they have the right to operate within the state. They argue that if the establishment doesn’t take a cut of the winnings and instead charges players an admission or membership fee, they are legally operating in the state.
According to the law, gambling must take place in a private location. Proposed legislation by Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, aims to clarify the language of the law to exclude commercial poker rooms or social clubs.
Upcoming legal cases against poker clubs could result in their closure or force them to operate underground.
Club GMC is upbeat his enterprise will remain wide open
Faber said he believes the law is on the side of clubs.
“We are strictly a social club that makes its money from admissions and membership fees. We never take a cut. All we do is provide a safe and comfortable place for guests to enjoy themselves.”
He is less optimistic that gambling will become legal in Texas.
“I grew up in the Houston area and I don’t believe gambling will be legal here anytime soon. But honestly, that’s not something we are overly concerned with at the River Room because according to Congress, poker isn’t considered gambling.”
Rashid Mohamed is an international journalist with a special interest in sports writing. He has been a regular contributor to PlayTexas, focusing on the legalization of gaming and the underground market in the state. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Ohio University and a Master’s degree in Journalism. With extensive experience working in various countries and with organizations such as the United Nations, Rashid brings a wealth of knowledge to his writing. He currently resides in Denver, Colorado.
