Mark Scheinberg
Mark Scheinberg | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1973 (age 50–51) Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli-Canadian |
| Occupation | Investor
Entrepreneur Philanthropist |
| Parent | Isai Scheinberg |
(Igal) Mark Scheinberg (born 1973)[1] is an Israeli-Canadian businessman and investor within various sectors including real estate and luxury hospitality. He is the co-founder and former co-owner of the online gambling company PokerStars, which was sold in 2014 to Amaya Gaming for $4.9 billion.[2]
Life[edit]
Mark Scheinberg was born in Israel in 1973, moving to Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the age of 13 with his family.[3] They settled in the town of Richmond Hill in the 1980s.[4]
Career[edit]
In 2001 Scheinberg founded PokerStars with his father Isai Scheinberg, a computer programmer.[3][5] During his tenure as CEO, PokerStars became the world’s largest online poker business and host to the world’s largest online tournament series,[6] acquiring the Full Tilt Poker brand in 2012.[7] In August 2014,[8] Oldford Group Ltd,[9] the PokerStars parent company, was acquired by the Canadian publicly listed company Amaya Gaming Group for $4.9 billion. Upon completion of the sale, Scheinberg exited the PokerStars group.[2] As of May 2017, Scheinberg was the richest person on the Isle of Man.[10]
Scheinberg started Mohari Hospitality as an investment firm focused on the luxury and hospitality sectors. The firm has investments in the Peninsula Resort in Papagayo, Costa Rica, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, the Waldorf Astoria Miami, and the Four Seasons Private Residences in Washington, DC.[11] Mohari has hired former Chief Executive Officer of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, J. Allen Smith as Managing Partner.[11]
Via his investment company Mohari Hospitality,[12] in early 2017 Scheinberg became a major investor in Centro Canalejas Madrid, a real estate project in Madrid, Spain.[5] Mohari purchased a 50% stake in the Centro for €225 million from the Grupo OHL subsidiary OHL Desarrollos and the industrial group Villa Mir, who both also retained stakes.[13] With an opening date set for 2019,[12] the project involves the restoration of seven historic[3] adjacent buildings[5] for residential, hotel and commercial use. With a large amount of retail space, the complex will also house the first Four Seasons hotel in Spain,[12] and create 4,800 positions.[14]
In September 2017, a Canadian subsidiary of Mohari Hospitality acquired the Thompson Toronto hotel in downtown Toronto, Ontario.[15] The "boutique" hotel[16] has 105 rooms, event space, and restaurants and lounges.[17]
According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at $5.6 billion as of 2024.[18]
Personal life[edit]
Scheinberg is single and lives in the Isle of Man. In March 2020 he and his family founded The Scheinberg Relief Fund, to help tackle the direct impact of COVID-19. With an allocation of $50 million, it supports organisations and initiatives in locations where the family has a business or personal presence.[19]
Scheinberg has a keen interest in conservation and animal welfare. In September 2020, it was announced that The Scheinberg Relief Fund would match every donation to the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, a conservation fundraiser that works with charities like the Save the Rhino Trust.[20]
References[edit]
- ^ "Igal Mark SCHEINBERG - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk.
- ^ a b Palmeri, Christopher (13 June 2014). "PokerStars' Scheinberg Becomes Billionaire on Sale to Amaya". Bloomberg. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ a b c "Mark Scheinberg". Forbes. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ Freeze, Colin (22 April 2011). "A look at the mysterious Canadian founder of PokerStars". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ a b c "PokerStars Founder Mark Scheinberg Invests in Spain's Real Estate Market". Casino News Daily. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ "PokerStars: Online Gambling's Quiet Giant", Forbes, Nathan Vardi, 10 February 2010
- ^ "PokerStars Strikes U.S. Deal to Buy Full Tilt Poker", Bloomberg, Caroline Winter, 31 July 2012
- ^ "Amaya Completes Acquisition of Pokerstars and Full Tilt Poker", 1 August 2014, press release
- ^ "How A $4.9 Billion Purchase Of PokerStars Could Change Online Poker In America", Forbes, Darren Heitner, 19 June 2014
- ^ "Scheinberg now richest on the island". IOM Today. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ a b Kirchfeld, Aaron (17 April 2023). "Billionaire PokerStars Founder Nears Deal for Hakkasan Owner - BNN Bloomberg". BNN. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ a b c "PokerStars Founder Mark Scheinberg’s Madrid Hotel Complex to Open Doors in 2019", Casino News Daily, 7 November 2017
- ^ OHL Desarrollows and GVM Sell a 50 Percent Stake in Centro Canalejas Madrid to the Businessman Mark Scheinberg, OHL, 9 February 2017
- ^ Centro Canalejas Madrid Will Open Its Doors at the Beginning of 2019 Archived 23 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Iberian Property, 10 November 2017
- ^ "Mohari Canada Inc. purchases Thompson Hotel", Lexpert Magazine, 25 August 2017
- ^ "Thompson Hotels", Thompson Toronto
- ^ "Thompson Toronto Sale Arranged by JLL" Archived 23 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Hotel Business, 13 September 2017
- ^ "Mark Scheinberg". Forbes. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "About us". My Great Blog. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- ^ "Top-fit rhino rangers to run in challenge to raise funds for wildlife protection | Namibia Economist". Retrieved 21 September 2020.