Tony G Responds to Russian Blacklisting

Those who have followed the irrepressible Tony G throughout his poker career will hardly be surprised that the loud-mouthed Lithuanian has found himself on a blacklist, but this time it’s a political one – and Vladimir Putin himself is probably eyeing the European Parliament member’s ban from Russia with a beady and interested eye!

The former Party Poker player, who parted ways with the site to focus on his own TonyBet site and his political career, responded to the blacklisting which has kept him out of the Party Poker Millions event set to take place in the Russian Olympic city of Sochi – and he doesn’t hold back!

The following video, says Tony (real name Antanas Guoga), “probably contributed” to his persona-non-grata status, which he explains is a result of his tough stance on Russian involvement in Lithuanian affairs.

The ABC guide to getting banned from Russia

The well-known poker funnyman lists some of the reasons why the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not taken kindly to him, stating:

• I organised a serious occasion about lithuanian energy independence,
• always support the Lithuanian squad for Putin's regime threats,
• I'm talking about the Russian propaganda attacks and cyber security.
• defended the Lithuanian carriers and farmers' interests, when Russia imposed embargo on myself.

Bring on the Russians!

Over the poker table Tony G has more than held his own against Russian opponents, including a rather infamous demolition of Ralph Perry back in 2006 during the Intercontinental Poker Championship…

Tony, Tony, Tony G!

Tony G’s has plenty of support for his more liberal views on the Russian regime, including the EPP Group - the largest political group in the European Parliament - who ‘defend center-right policies to promote growth and jobs in a more integrated Europe’.

EPP tweeted:

Putin's blacklist is getting longer. Another @EPPGroup MEP banned from entering Russia. #Lithuania's @TonyGuogapic.twitter.com/TksMN2hIMs

— EPP Group (@EPPGroup) March 23, 2017

Despite his often contrary stance and outspoken views, here’s hoping Tony continues to enjoy rude health now that he has some new opponents in a much bigger game!