The Texas Card House Dallas appealed to the city's Board of Adjustment and won it in March after its Certificate of Occupancy was revoked. But Ryan Crow, the CEO, and his workers still have a legal battle that might put various poker clubs in Texas on notice.
Even so, a summary judgment in a case with two opposing factions of city schedules was supposed to be disclosed on Wednesday. Yet, the judge decided that the lawsuit would go to trial. The trial date is uncertain, but it is likely to occur after several days or weeks.
Lawyers and journalists are the only people that will attend the lawsuit, so it will lack a jury, and the judge will make the final ruling. Crow stated that he believes that Dallas media will air the trial. Also, he hopes that the lawsuit will reach the Texas Supreme Court.
The executive will appeal the case. David Session, a senior building inspector in the city, wins the case. Also, Crow expects the opposition to continue fighting the legal chain if Session loses.
How the Legal Fight Began
The Lone Star State prohibits gambling. But, the Texas Penal Code 47.04 has a loophole that allows poker clubs to run if they get an economic benefit from different games. A poker venture that earns money from cash game pots is claimed to operate illegally.
Poker rooms in Texas run as social clubs. They charge seat fees and membership rather than collecting rake.
Yet, some of its lawmakers claim that card rooms like Texas Card House run four poker clubs in the state, and they get an economic benefit. The rake doesn't have to be in their business model.
Some Dallas politicians and those from other regions have opposed poker rooms for a long period. The city's building officials reviewed and approved the social poker club business model in 2020. Some people opposed the launch of another Dallas card room the next summer, thus prompting city officials to reconsider their stand on Texas' poker legality.
Crow's poker club's Certificate of Occupancy got revoked in January 2022. He maintained its operation and filed and won an appeal in March. Yet his lawsuit against Dallas didn't end as he filed a case against the board of adjustment.
It stated that the Defendant Board or Adjustment made an illegal decision. There was an abuse of discretion since the Board acted unreasonably without following guiding principles. Kim Stone, a Texas-based player, shared the March vote's video that favored the Texas Card House.
How Will It Affect Texas Poker Rooms?
The Texas poker industry has rapidly grown of late as new rooms are launched each month. Poker experts like Brad Owen, Andrew Neeme, and Doug Polk own The Lodge Card Club. It is the largest room in the region.
Texas collects tax revenue from more than ten local poker clubs. The ongoing case against Texas Card House Dallas might adversely affect poker in the state, according to Crow. It will form a legal precedent on the state's poker if Dallas wins the case after presenting it to the Texas Supreme Court.
