(Igal) Mark Scheinberg (; born 1973) is an Israeli-Canadian businessman and investor into 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 . Scheinberg is also the founder and principal of the investment firm Mohari Hospitality, which has developed various luxury hotels across the world and owns the majority of Tao Group Hospitality.
Life and career Mark Scheinberg was born in Israel in 1973, moving to Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the age of 13 with his family. They settled in the town of Richmond Hill in the 1980s.
PokerStars In 2001 Scheinberg founded PokerStars with his father Isai Scheinberg, a computer programmer. During his tenure as CEO, PokerStars became the world’s largest online poker business and host to the world’s largest online tournament series,"PokerStars: Online Gambling's Quiet Giant", Forbes, Nathan Vardi, 10 February 2010 acquiring the Full Tilt Poker brand in 2012."PokerStars Strikes U.S. Deal to Buy Full Tilt Poker", Bloomberg, Caroline Winter, 31 July 2012 In August 2014,"Amaya Completes Acquisition of Pokerstars and Full Tilt Poker", 1 August 2014, press release Oldford Group Ltd,"How A $4.9 Billion Purchase Of PokerStars Could Change Online Poker In America", Forbes, Darren Heitner, 19 June 2014 the PokerStars parent company, was acquired by the Canadian publicly listed company Amaya Gaming Group for . Upon completion of the sale, Scheinberg exited the PokerStars group. As of May 2017, Scheinberg was the richest person on the Isle of Man.
Mohari Hospitality 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. Mohari has hired former Chief Executive Officer of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, J. Allen Smith as Managing Partner.
Via Mohari Hospitality,"PokerStars Founder Mark Scheinberg’s Madrid Hotel Complex to Open Doors in 2019", Casino News Daily, 7 November 2017 in early 2017 Scheinberg became a major investor in Centro Canalejas Madrid, a real estate project in Madrid, Spain. 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.OHL Desarrollows and GVM Sell a 50 Percent Stake in Centro Canalejas Madrid to the Businessman Mark Scheinberg, OHL, 9 February 2017 With an opening date set for 2019, the project involves the restoration of seven historic adjacent buildings 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, and create 4,800 positions.Centro Canalejas Madrid Will Open Its Doors at the Beginning of 2019 , Iberian Property, 10 November 2017
In September 2017, a Canadian subsidiary of Mohari Hospitality acquired the Thompson Toronto hotel in downtown Toronto, Ontario."Mohari Canada Inc. purchases Thompson Hotel", Lexpert Magazine, 25 August 2017 The "boutique" hotel"Thompson Hotels" , Thompson Toronto has 105 rooms, event space, and restaurants and lounges."Thompson Toronto Sale Arranged by JLL" , Hotel Business, 13 September 2017
In April 2023, Mohari Hospitality acquired a 66.9% stake in Tao Group Hospitality from Madison Square Garden Entertainment for $550 million.
According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at $5.6 billion as of 2024.
Personal life 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.
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.
References