| Mark Scheinberg | |
| Birth Place: | Israel |
| Nationality: | Israeli-Canadian |
| Occupation: | InvestorEntrepreneur Philanthropist |
| Parents: | 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.
Mark Scheinberg was born in Israel in 1973, moving to Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the age of 13 with his family.[2] They settled in the town of Richmond Hill in the 1980s.[3]
In 2001 Scheinberg founded PokerStars with his father Isai Scheinberg, a computer programmer.[2] During his tenure as CEO, PokerStars became the world’s largest online poker business and host to the world’s largest online tournament series,[4] acquiring the Full Tilt Poker brand in 2012.[5] In August 2014,[6] Oldford Group Ltd,[7] 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.[8] As of May 2017, Scheinberg was the richest person on the Isle of Man.[9]
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.[10] Mohari has hired former Chief Executive Officer of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, J. Allen Smith as Managing Partner.
Via Mohari Hospitality,[11] in early 2017 Scheinberg became a major investor in Centro Canalejas Madrid, a real estate project in Madrid, Spain.[12] 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,[11] the project involves the restoration of seven historic[2] adjacent buildings[12] 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,[11] 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]
In April 2023, Mohari Hospitality acquired a 66.9% stake in Noah Tepperberg's Tao Group from Madison Square Garden Entertainment for $550 million. Mohari was expected to integrate Tao's brands into its existing properties.[18] [19]
According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at $5.6 billion as of 2024.[20]
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.[21]
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.[22]