Rational Group Hires Playtech COO Rafi Ashkenazi
Key Takeaways
  • Beginning February 1, Ashkenazi will be responsible for “all customer-facing product and back-office functions for PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.”
  • Ashkenazi previously held the COO position of publicly-listed Playtech for seven years.
  • Ashkenazi will report directly to Mark Scheinberg, CEO and chairman of Rational Group.

Rational Group, parent company of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, announced Thursday the appointment of Rafi Ashkenazi as Chief Operating Officer.

Ashkenazi previously held the COO position of publicly-listed Playtech, operator of the iPoker network.

In his new role, which he will assume on February 1, Ashkenazi will be responsible for “all customer-facing product and back-office functions for PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker,” according to today’s press release.

The role includes “marketing, customer support, poker room management, IT management, payment processing & security, and game integrity.”

Askhenazi has been at Playtech for seven years, following a four-year period at IT development company SQLink, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He lists “new markets development,” “regulatory and compliance” and “managing large budgets” in his skillset.

He will remain based on the Isle of Man, where Rational Group maintains its head offices.

Ashkenazi will report directly to Mark Scheinberg, CEO and chairman of Rational Group. His father, Isai Scheinburg, was required to step down from his executive position at the group as part of its settlement with the US Department of Justice.