$118,000 seized and four arrested for illegal poker in Texas

A raid took place at the 101 Poker Club in Texas: the police seized $118,000 and detained four people on suspicion of illegal gambling.

On Thursday, October 22, Houston police conducted an armed raid at the popular poker club 101 Poker Club , located in Katy, Texas. As a result of the operation, cash totaling $118,000 was seized and four suspects were detained. The actions of law enforcement were related to suspicions of organizing illegal gambling activities, which is a violation of Texas’s strict laws. Details of the Raid and Police Actions During the raid, officers from the Houston Police Department’s Vice Division and representatives from the Harris County District Attorney’s office entered the club premises with weapons drawn. At the time of their arrival, several poker games were underway in the hall, as confirmed by photos released by the police. The images show poker tables, chips, large amounts of cash, and a money counting machine. Police reported that those detained were charged with participating in organized criminal activity. The names of those arrested are Stephen Hohman , Brian Keegan , Laura Respondek , and Randolph Reynolds . In addition, an investigation is ongoing regarding a fifth, as yet unnamed, suspect. According to information provided to PokerNews, at least one club employee was arrested during the raid itself. Players present in the club were released immediately after the operation began, while dealers and staff were detained for further questioning. Video footage from the scene shows several police vehicles arriving at the club, and the entrance being blocked by police officers. Reasons and Legal Context of the Raid Although police did not disclose details about the nature of the alleged illegal activity, sources interviewed by PokerNews noted that 101 Poker Club did not follow the standard Texas payment model—charging a seat fee for a set period of time. Instead, according to them, the club took a commission from each pot (the so-called "rake"), which is against state law. Texas has strict anti-gambling laws, but there is a loophole: poker games are allowed if the club does not take a commission from the pots and instead charges membership or hourly fees. According to PokerNews, 101 Poker Club did charge membership fees, but also practiced taking chips from the pots, which became the basis for suspicions of breaking the law. Club Response and Further Developments Despite the seizure of a significant amount of money and the arrests, 101 Poker Club resumed operations less than a day after the raid. At the time of publication, charges against those detained had not been posted on the Harris County Sheriff’s Office website. Police did not provide further comments regarding the details of the case or the next steps in the investigation. This raid is yet another episode in a series of tough measures taken by law enforcement against poker clubs in the Houston area. For example, in May, a raid using drones was conducted at Lucky J Social Club , which also soon resumed operations despite a ban on non-poker table games in Texas. List of Arrested Individuals and Seized Funds Stephen Hohman — arrested Brian Keegan — arrested Laura Respondek — arrested Randolph Reynolds — arrested Fifth suspect — name not disclosed, charges pending Seized cash amount — $118,000 Context: Features of Poker Clubs in Texas Unlike most US states, in Texas poker clubs can operate legally only if they do not take a commission from each pot. Instead, they are allowed to charge membership fees or fees for time spent at the table. Violating this scheme often leads to police inspections and raids, as happened with 101 Poker Club . Such cases show how important it is for operators and players to strictly follow local laws to avoid serious consequences. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For members of PPPoker clubs, this news serves as a reminder of the need to pay close attention to the legal aspects of organizing games. Even in regions where poker is permitted, the slightest deviation from established rules can lead to law enforcement intervention, seizure of funds, and criminal charges against organizers. Players should make sure that the club where they play operates strictly within the law, does not use prohibited rake schemes, and officially registers membership and table time payments. This will help avoid unpleasant situations and protect both their own funds and the club’s reputation. For PPPoker club administrators and owners, it is important to regularly monitor changes in legislation and consult with legal experts to minimize risks and ensure the long-term and safe operation of the club for all participants.