Ashkenazi named CEO of Rational Group

Amaya Inc. has named its vice president of strategy Rafi Ashkenazi as chief executive officer of subsidiary Rational Group.

Ashkenazi joined the Rational Group in January 2013 as chief operating officer having held the position of chief operating officer at Playtech. He became senior vice president of strategy for Amaya Inc. earlier this year.

Ashkenazi assumes the role on November 9 and interim CEO Michael Hazel will assist during a brief transition period before departing the company.

Rational Group chief operating officer Israel Rosenthal and director of business development and strategy Guy Templer will continue in their roles and report to Ashkenazi. All three executives are based in the Isle of Man.

Industry speculation names Hazel as one of four executives identified by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement as being involved in the US online poker market post-UIGEA.

Amaya Inc.’s passage into the US online gaming market in New Jersey is conditional on the four leaving the company.