Roy Samuelov

Career Beginnings at Hall of Hands

Samuelov first gained industry attention at Hall of Hands, an innovative platform that brought new dimensions to online poker. As Vice President of Business Development, he led initiatives that went beyond traditional gaming interfaces, emphasizing player engagement through dynamic content. His most notable achievement during this time was securing a partnership with Titan Poker, one of the prominent names in online poker.

The collaboration introduced an interactive replay system that allowed users to view their completed poker hands with TV-style broadcasts, simulating a live tournament experience. This innovation not only improved user retention but also set a new benchmark for integrating media and gaming content. Samuelov’s role went beyond deal-making; he was actively involved in shaping the user experience strategy, recognizing early on that immersion and entertainment would become critical drivers in online gaming.

Driving Business Development and M&A at Playtech

Following his achievements at Hall of Hands, Samuelov joined Playtech, a global leader in iGaming software and services. At Playtech, he worked within the business development and mergers and acquisitions divisions, contributing to several strategic moves that solidified the company’s standing in an increasingly competitive market.

Samuelov’s responsibilities included identifying acquisition targets, assessing new market opportunities, and building partnerships that aligned with Playtech’s long-term vision. His work helped expand the company’s global reach while reinforcing its technological leadership. During this period, Samuelov developed a reputation for balancing aggressive expansion strategies with a careful, data-driven evaluation of risks.

His previous experience includes roles at RubyPlay, another notable company in the gaming sector.

Launching CoinScan

In addition to his executive positions, Samuelov is an active investor. He is involved with amp, an investment entity, and has participated in funding and supporting innovative projects in the tech and gaming space.

In 2023, Samuelov extended his business activities into the cryptocurrency sector by co-investing in CoinScan, a crypto analytics and safety platform. CoinScan was designed to meet the growing demand for transparency and security in crypto trading, offering users detailed market analysis, scam prevention tools, and social sentiment monitoring.

The project secured $6.3 million in funding from a group of high-profile investors, including major stakeholders from DraftKings and Playtech. Samuelov’s involvement in CoinScan reflected his broader view of industry convergence, recognizing that gaming, finance, and blockchain technologies are becoming increasingly interconnected. Rather than positioning CoinScan purely as a trading tool, he supported its development as a comprehensive ecosystem aimed at educating and protecting users in a complex and fast-moving market.

Leadership Style and Industry Recognition

Throughout his career, Samuelov has demonstrated a leadership style built around strategic foresight and disciplined execution. He focuses on identifying key market shifts early and aligning business models to capitalize on them. Rather than chasing every emerging trend, he places emphasis on sustainable growth, product relevance, and long-term partnerships.

In 2024, Samuelov was named among the “Top 100 Most Influential People in iGaming” by iGaming Express, ranking 53rd.