What Happened to Antanas Guoga (Tony G)?
Antanas Guoga, widely known as 'Tony G', is a Lithuanian-Australian professional poker player, entrepreneur, and former politician. After a highly successful poker career marked by his aggressive table talk and significant tournament wins, Guoga transitioned into business, founding PokerNews.com and TonyBet, and later served as a Member of the European Parliament and in the Lithuanian Parliament. Currently, he is a prominent investor in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors, while still occasionally participating in high-stakes poker tournaments.
Quick Answer
Antanas 'Tony G' Guoga has evolved from a renowned professional poker player to a multifaceted entrepreneur and investor, with a significant focus on blockchain and cryptocurrency ventures as of 2026. He previously served in European and Lithuanian politics, advocating for digital economy and entrepreneurship. While his political career concluded in early 2021, he continues to be active in high-stakes poker and maintains a diverse investment portfolio, with recent reports estimating his net worth around $300 million.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline17 events
Born in Kaunas, Lithuania
Antanas Guoga was born in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Moved to Melbourne, Australia
At age 11, Guoga moved with his family to Melbourne, Australia.
Founded PokerNews.com
Guoga founded PokerNews.com for $6,000, building it into a major poker news and information site.
Won European Poker Championships Main Event
Tony G secured a significant victory by winning the £5,000 European Poker Championships Main Event in London for $456,822.
Won Betfair Asian Poker Tour and Donated Winnings
He won the Betfair Asian Poker Tour championship in Singapore for $451,700 and famously donated half of his winnings to charities in Asia and Australia.
Founded TonyBet
Guoga established TonyBet, an international betting company.
Elected Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
Antanas Guoga was elected as an MEP for Lithuania, representing the Liberal Movement, and married Aistė Šlapokaitė.
TonyBet Lithuanian Business Sold to Betsson
Betsson acquired the Lithuanian operations of TonyBet for €6 million.
Initiated Blockchain Centre Vilnius
Guoga initiated the Blockchain Centre Vilnius, demonstrating his early interest in blockchain technology.
MEP Term Ends
His term as a Member of the European Parliament concluded.
Elected to the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament)
Guoga was elected to the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania on the electoral list for the Labour Party.
Resigned from Lithuanian Parliament
Tony G announced his resignation from the Lithuanian Parliament, stating a desire to focus on business and potentially more poker.
Won Super High Roller Bowl Europe for $1.196 Million
He achieved his biggest live tournament score by winning the $100,000 No Limit Short Deck Hold'em event at the Super High Roller Bowl Europe in Cyprus.
Claimed $100 Million Business Earnings, $300 Million Net Worth
In an interview, Tony G claimed to have made $100 million from business ventures, particularly Sol Strategies, in the past year, estimating his net worth at around $300 million.
Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Purchases Hyperliquid Tokens
Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd. announced the purchase of over 10,000 HyperLiquid's HYPE tokens as part of its digital asset strategy.
Banxa Holdings and OSL Group Complete Transaction
Banxa Holdings, where Tony G serves as a Director, completed a take-private transaction with OSL Group, highlighting his continued involvement in crypto payment gateways.
Listed for Upcoming Poker Tournaments
As of today, Antanas Guoga is listed to participate in upcoming poker events, including the Battle of Malta and The Festival in Malta, indicating his continued presence in the high-stakes poker scene.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Antanas Guoga, born in Kaunas, Lithuania in 1973, moved to Melbourne, Australia, at the age of 11, where he developed an early interest in games, becoming a Rubik's Cube champion in Lithuania. His journey into the public eye began with a highly successful career in professional poker, earning him the nickname 'Tony G'. Known for his flamboyant personality and aggressive playing style, he became a fixture in televised cash games and major tournaments, accumulating over $11.2 million in live tournament earnings. Key poker achievements include winning the 2005 European Poker Championships Main Event and his largest cash of $1.196 million in 2021 at the Super High Roller Bowl Europe.
Parallel to his poker career, Guoga demonstrated significant entrepreneurial acumen. In 2002, he founded PokerNews.com, building it into one of the world's most visited poker information sites. He later launched TonyBet in 2009, an international betting company, which he sold the Lithuanian operations of to Betsson for €6 million in 2016, with the site eventually closing in 2020. These ventures established his reputation as a shrewd businessman, providing a financial foundation that extended beyond his poker winnings.
A significant turning point came in 2014 when Guoga entered politics, being elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Lithuania, representing the Liberal Movement. During his five-year term, he focused on digital policies, entrepreneurship, and promoting Europe's digital single market. After his MEP term ended in 2019, he was elected to the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament) in November 2020. However, his tenure in the Lithuanian Parliament was short-lived, as he resigned in January 2021, citing an inability to deliver on promises with his party and expressing a desire to focus on business and potentially more poker.
Since his departure from active politics, Guoga has heavily pivoted towards the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors. He is a director of Cypherpunk Holdings, which in December 2020, shifted its focus exclusively to Bitcoin. He also initiated Blockchain Centre Vilnius in 2017. As of 2026, his investment philosophy prioritizes cutting-edge technologies, particularly in blockchain, FinTech, and emerging tech, emphasizing strategic partnerships and long-term vision. He holds directorships and significant stakes in several crypto-related companies, including Sol Strategies Inc. (CSE:HODL), Banxa Holdings Inc. (CSE:BNXA), and HYLQ Strategy Corp. (CSE:HYLQ), with Tony G Co-Investment Holdings actively acquiring digital assets like Hyperliquid tokens in June 2025. In February 2025, he claimed to have earned $100 million from business ventures in the preceding year, estimating his net worth at around $300 million.
Currently, as of September 2026, Antanas Guoga continues to manage his extensive investment portfolio in the digital asset space and remains connected to the poker world, with listings for upcoming tournaments in September 2026. He is recognized for his philanthropy, having donated significant poker winnings to charity and supporting Lithuanian sports, including the Lithuanian Basketball Federation.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Antanas Guoga (Tony G) made different choices?