PokerStars appoint Playtech COO

Ashkenazi has joined PokerStars as chief operating officer.

The experience executive joins Stars’ parent company Rational Group from Playtech, where he was COO and a board member.

Ashkenazi, who spent seven years at Playtech, will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Rational Group’s brands, including PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.

He will assume his role on 1 February and will be based at Rational’s Isle of Man headquarters, reporting to group chairman and CEO Mark Scheinberg.

Ashkenazi commented: "With PokerStars, the Rational Group has built a stellar reputation by continually raising the bar with high-quality, trusted products while delivering best-in-class customer support and service.

"I am excited to join the team and add my skills to a tradition of industry leadership."

Scheinberg added: “Rafi is a fine executive with outstanding management and people skills and has been very successful directing the operational complexities of a global gaming company.

“I am very happy that he will bring that expertise to our senior management team."