Poker in Australia for Mike Tyson?
4th July, 2008
Mike Tyson, boxing champion, has made a deal with Crown Casino to play in the $10 million Aussie Millions Poker Championships that take place this January in Melbourne, Australia.
This plan has made a lot of controversy because Australia has strict rules for barring individuals with criminal records from entering the country, and Tyson is a convicted rapist and has an extensive criminal record from before becoming a professional boxer.
“I love Australia, but I’ve never been before,” Tyson said. “I really want to come and see that country.”
It’s not uncommon for even high-profile people to be denied entry into Australia because there are rules that prevent those with criminal records from entering. Rap star and TV personality Snoop Dog was not allowed to enter Australia in 2007 because of his criminal record.
“It would be inappropriate for the minister to speculate on what might happen with a person’s visa application,” said a spokesperson for Senator Chris Evans.
Many are unhappy with Crown for making a deal that would bring a convicted rapist into Australia and would like to see Tyson barred from entering the country and playing in the poker tournament.
“We seem to have reached a new depth of lowness,” said Noel McNamara, president of Crime Victims Support Association. “He is being brought out here to be trotted out as a celebrity, like some kind of Mother Theresa. It’s an insult. We don’t think it’s right and we will be urging the Immigration Minister not to let him into the country.”
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