AIBC Europe Speakers: Visionaries Shaping the Future of Tech

Hon. Roberta Metsola

President

European Parliament

Hon. Roberta Metsola was elected President of the European Parliament in January 2022, becoming the youngest ever person to occupy this role. In July 2024, she was re-elected for another term, as only the second person and first woman to serve as President for two terms. President Metsola has been very vocal and firm in Europe’s support to Ukraine, following Russia’s brutal invasion. On 1st April 2022, she became the first President of an institution of the European Union to visit Ukraine since the start of the war. As President, she has led reforms towards a Parliament that is more modern, efficient and accountable. She was first elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 2013. Prior, President Metsola served within the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union and later as the legal advisor to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In her student years, she campaigned actively for Malta's European Union membership. Professionally she is a lawyer who has specialised in European law and politics. Born in 1979, Roberta Metsola is married to Ukko Metsola and is the mother of four boys.

Hon. Federico Freni

Undersecretary of State

Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy

Federico Freni is a lawyer and expert in administrative law. In 2021, he was appointed Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance in the Draghi government. Following the 2022 political elections, he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies and reconfirmed as Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Hon. Silvio Schembri

Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects of Malta

Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, is an economist, academic and elected politician. Born in Luqa, he holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Economics from L-Università ta' Malta. He is experienced in political communication, sustainable development, negotiation and higher education.

Hon. Alex Borg

Leader of the Opposition

Malta

"Alex Borg, born on 10 June 1995 in Victoria, Gozo, is a lawyer and politician who currently serves as Leader of the Nationalist Party. He was first elected to the Maltese Parliament in 2022, securing the highest number of votes among Nationalist Party candidates after the party leader at the time. Over the past three years, he has served as Shadow Minister for Gozo and has been a member of both the Parliamentary Committee for Gozo and the Committee for Foreign Affairs. Raised in Nadur, Borg pursued his education at the Bishop's Conservatory, Gozo College, and Sir M. A. Refalo Sixth Form. He graduated with a degree in Law in 2019 and subsequently commenced practice as a lawyer. In 2019, Borg was elected to the Executive of the Nationalist Party Youth Movement, followed shortly thereafter by his election to the Nationalist Party Executive Committee. His commitment to grassroots engagement reflects his conviction that effective politics requires direct and sustained contact between elected representatives and their constituents. Borg's political philosophy centres on fostering a robust and competitive economy while maintaining comprehensive social services. He advocates for a balanced approach that promotes economic growth alongside social equity. Following the resignation of Nationalist Party Leader Dr Bernard Grech in June 2025, Borg announced his candidacy for the leadership position. On 6 September 2025, he was elected Leader of the Nationalist Party, marking a significant milestone in his political trajectory."

Hon. Marcello Coppo

Member of the Chamber of Deputies

Italy

Marcello Coppo is a Member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies with Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy). A lawyer admitted to the bar in 2009, he advises individuals and businesses on labor, social security, and tax matters. Before his election to Parliament in 2022, he served as Deputy Mayor of Asti (2017–2022) with responsibility for economic development and the promotion of local entrepreneurship, and had previously held various municipal roles in Asti since 2002. In the Chamber of Deputies, he serves on the Public and Private Labour Committee, the Committee on Elections, and the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry into workplace conditions and safety. He also serves as Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Committee on Digital Assets, Blockchain and Bitcoin, engaging with industry and institutions to promote clear, responsible rules for virtual assets that protect consumers while supporting competitiveness and growth.

H.E. Daniel Azzopardi

Ambassador of Malta to Italy

Daniel Azzopardi started his career in the Malta Civil Service in 2007 following a Government Scholarship on European Affairs at the University of Sussex, UK. His first post was that of an officer at the Planning and Priorities Coordination Division within the Office of the Prime Minister on the management of EU Funding. In March 2009 he took on his first assignment in Brussels as Technical Attaché in charge of the Energy and Land Transport dossier at the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union. He held this position until 2015. At the start of 2016, he returned to Malta as Chief Executive Officer of The Energy and Water Agency, a Government body tasked with developing and implementing Malta’s national policy on energy and water. In 2018 Mr Azzopardi was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Malta to the European Union. In August 2020 he was then appointed as Malta’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain. Ambassador Azzopardi has been appointed Ambassador to the Italian Republic on 30th August 2024. Ambassador Azzopardi holds a master’s degree in Contemporary European Studies, from the University of Sussex (UK), and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in European Studies from the University of Malta. He is married to Dr Roberta Azzopardi and they have 4 children.

H.E. Lucimara Batista dos Reis

Honorary Consul of Brazil in Malta

With over 25 years of international leadership in auditing, risk management, corporate law, and regulatory compliance, Lucimara brings extensive experience across the financial sector, gaming industry, and FinTechs. She has led global initiatives in governance, risk, and compliance, spanning Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Currently serving as Honorary Consul of Brazil in Malta, Founder of Abrama, and Rotarian Board Member, she combines strategic insight with a strong commitment to integrity, stakeholder engagement, and cross-border collaboration.

Hon. Andrea de Bertoldi

Member of the Chamber of Deputies

Andrea de Bertoldi is a Member of Parliament and member of the Finance Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. He belongs to the Lega parliamentary group and is the President of the LCD movement (Liberal Christian Democrats). A former Senator and Secretary of the Finance Committee in the previous legislature, he holds a degree in Economics and Commerce and a Master’s in International Taxation. He is also qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Statutory Auditor.

Brando Benifei

Member of the European Parliament

Brando Benifei is an Italian MEP serving his third term in the European parliament. During the previous mandate he was co-Rapporteur for the Artificial Intelligence Act and thanks to this work in March 2024 he won the prize for the Best MEP of the Mandate assigned by The Parliament Magazine. Now he is Coordinator in the Committee on International Trade for the Socialists and Democrats Group and Chair of the European Parliament's D-US delegation. He is member of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and he works also as substitute member on the EU internal market and consumer protection and on legal affairs, always following closely digital issues.

Plínio Augusto Lemos Jorge

President

ANJL – Brazilian National Association of Games and Lotteries

Attorney, registered with the Brazilian Bar Association – OAB/SP nº 134.182 since August 8, 1995. President of the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL). Partner at Lemos Jorge Advogados Associados (OAB/SP 7692). Former Judge at the São Paulo State Tax and Duties Court (2004–2014). Ph.D. candidate in Law at UNINOVE University (2021–present). Master’s in Tax Law from Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP, 2009). Postgraduate in Criminal Law from the Higher School of the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office (2004). Law degree from Franca Law School (1995). Former Professor at Greco Filho Institute (1995–2002), FMU University (2009–2010), and Piaget College (2021). Author of books, book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles.

Maarten Haijer

Secretary General

European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)

Maarten Haijer is the Secretary General of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) representing the leading online gambling operators licensed and regulated in the EU. Before joining the EGBA as director for regulatory affairs Maarten worked as the internal market and consumer protection counsellor at the Netherlands permanent representation to the EU. Prior to that he held several positions in the Dutch ministry of economic affairs dealing predominantly with EU and WTO trade policy issues.

Dott. Antonio Giuliani

Manager

Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM)

With a solid background in public administration focused on gaming regulation, Giuliani is responsible for ensuring a balance between player protection, market legality, and payment security. He is an expert in the regulations governing online gambling, promoting practices that ensure transparency and reliability in the payment systems used in the sector. His contribution is crucial in addressing challenges related to technological innovation and the need for control and fraud prevention, fostering sustainable development of remote gaming in Italy.

Moreno Marasco

Chairman

LOGiCO

Prof. Pieris Chourides

President

Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission

Panagiotis Trisokkas

President

Cyprus National Betting Authority

Alexsandar Popov

Director

Directorate Supervision of Gambling and Gambling Activities – Bulgaria

Aleksandar Popov is currently director of the Directorate Supervision of gambling and gambling activities in the National Revenue Agency of Bulgaria. Aleksandar has significant experience in the area of control of public funds, mainly European funding. He possesses a master's degree in Law and Public Administration and a PhD in Political science, is a certified auditor in the public sector and has been a speaker at ICE London.

Giuseppe Marino

President

Italian-Cypriot Chamber of Commerce

Giuseppe Marino is an international AML and Financial Crime Expert with extensive consulting experience in corporate due diligence and compliance frameworks. Specializing in strategic legal advisory services, he has developed comprehensive expertise in B2B and B2G relationships across European and Middle Eastern markets. He is one of the founders and currently serves as President of the Italian-Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

Jānis Ungurs

Director of the Legal Department

Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection – Latvia

Janis Ungurs is a legal professional with over 20 years experience, specialising in gambling regulation and IT. Since 2006, he has directed the Legal Department at Latvia's Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspectorate, overseeing legal frameworks. licensing, litigation and international cooperation in gaming regulation.

Renato Loiero

Budget Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Italy

Renato Loiero, Parliamentary Advisor to the Senate of the Republic with 23 years of seniority, is currently Budget Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. He is a member of the technical committee for the implementation of the tax reform. During his service in the Senate, he was initially assigned to the Research Service (economic area), tasked with assisting Committees V (Budget and Economic Planning) and VI (Finance). He was then assigned to the Parliamentary Commissions Service, where he served as a member of the secretariat of Committees V (Budget) and VI (Finance). In the XV legislature, he also served as Head of the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Commission for the Supervision of the Tax Registry. In the XVI legislature, he was also responsible for the Secretariat of the Extraordinary Commission for Price Control. He was president of the Commission for the Quality Assurance of Statistical Information. He is the author of numerous monographs and articles on tax and financial matters. In the past, he also served at the Ministry of Economy and Finance – Lombardy Regional Directorate and as an officer of the Finance Police.

Stefano Menghinello

Head of Department for Economic and Environmental Statistics, National Accounts

ISTAT

Stefano Menghinello, Research Director, is currently the Head of Department for Economic and Environmental Statistics, National Accounts at ISTAT, the Italian NSO. He a member of the Board (ex Chair) of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Business and Trade Statistics (CEBTS) and, previously, Chair of the OECD Working Party on Industrial Globalization. He has conducted research in economic statistics, industrial, international, and regional economics. Contract professor at the Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering of the Sapienza University of Rome. He holds a PhD in industrial economics and internal business at the University of Birmingham (UK), he has published in national and international journals.

Dr Emanuele Canegrati

Economist, Member of Villa Vigoni

Dr. Emanuele Canegrati is an economist at the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers, focusing on Next Generation EU Fund. He is also a member of the Collegio degli Esperti at the National Council for Economics and Labour (CNEL). Dr. Canegrati holds a PhD in Public Economics and Finance from the Catholic University of Milan and was a Visiting Researcher at the London School of Economics. He is head of the Economic Department of the Scientific Council of Fondazione Magna Carta in Rome.

Antonio Barreca

Director General

Federturismo Confindustria

Since 2011, Antonio Barreca has served as Director General of Federturismo Confindustria, the Italian federation that brings together the entire national tourism industry, representing 23 trade associations. He graduated with honors in Political Science from Luiss Guido Carli, earned a PhD in Comparative Public Law at the University of Perugia (2008), and pursued advanced studies at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government (2013, 2015). Before his current role, he worked with the Department of Economic Affairs at the Italian Prime Minister’s Office, then spent 10 years in Brussels as Director of Federturismo’s European Affairs Office, engaging with institutions such as the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. An academic by vocation, he has taught for more than a decade at Luiss Guido Carli and Luiss Business School—where he also sits on the Scientific Committee of the Master in Tourism Management—as well as other universities. He has held institutional roles as Vice President of the UNI Tourism Commission and special delegate to ISO in Geneva, and served as Special Advisor on Tourism for the Sicilian Region. Currently, he is also Coordinator of the European network of Confindustria tourism federations, Director of AIDIT, and Vice President and co-founder of Turismi.ai. He speaks four languages fluently.

Nicola Vladimiro Ciccarelli

Vice President

Confindustria Alberghi

He is the President of the Lupelius Financial Group and founder of the Swadeshi Hotels chain. Currently serving as National Vice President of Confindustria Alberghi, he is an entrepreneur, promoter, and partner in several companies primarily operating in the real estate and tourism sectors. A finance and innovation enthusiast, he served for over five years as an Adjunct Professor of Finance for Innovation at the Faculty of Management and Logistics Engineering at the University of Trieste. He is also the author of “Manual of Finance for Innovation,” published by Unilink University Press. He holds various positions, including President of Fontur – the Healthcare Assistance Fund for the tourism sector; Board Member of the Bilateral Body for the Tourism Industry and Vice President of EBTL; Board Member of the Tourism International Forum and several Tourism Districts; and President of Golf des Iles de Borromées on Lake Maggiore.

Giuseppe Roscioli

President

Federalberghi – Rome

Ivan Filletti

CEO

GamingMalta

Ivan Filletti has served as CEO of the GamingMalta Foundation since 2016, leading efforts to position Malta as a global leader in the gaming sector. Established by the Government of Malta and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the Foundation under Ivan's guidance has significantly enhanced Malta's reputation as a jurisdiction for gaming innovation. In addition to his responsibilities as CEO, Ivan chairs the government-backed iGaming Council, where he continues to shape regulatory frameworks and advance Malta's prominence in global gaming.

Felice Mariani

Olympic Medalist & Former National Judo Coach of Italy

Felice Mariani is a distinguished Italian sports professional, celebrated both as an elite judoka and as a leader in national and international sporting institutions. A bronze medalist at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, he also earned three World Championship bronzes and three European Championship golds, alongside 11 Italian national titles. Transitioning from athlete to mentor, he has served as Technical Director of the Fiamme Gialle Judo team since 1990 and led the Italian National Judo Team across six Olympic Games, from Seoul to London. Beyond competitive achievements, Mariani served as a Member of the Italian Parliament from March 2018 to October 2022, furthering his commitment to the promotion of sport and social development. Currently collaborating with Sport e Salute, he advances grassroots initiatives nationwide. Recognized as Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana (1977), inducted into the Judo Hall of Fame (2018), and named Judo Ambassador (2019), he continues to inspire globally.

Fabio Massimo Splendore

Editor

Corriere dello Sport – Stadio

Anders Dorph

Chair

Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF)

Anders Dorph is the director of the Danish Gambling Authority. He took up his current position in November 2020 after four years as head of asylum at the Danish Immigration Service. In May 2025, he was appointed Chair of the Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF) after serving two years as Vice-Chair. Throughout his career, Anders Dorph has worked several years in the Danish Ministry of Justice and served as executive in the Danish police.

Gianfranco Coppola

President

Unione Stampa Sportiva Italiana (USSI)

Demos Katsis

Deputy Mayor

Limassol, Cyprus

Demos Katsis, born in Limassol, Cyprus, is a founding partner of KATSIS LLC, a law firm with international reach. Formerly a partner at a global firm, he became Deputy Mayor of Limassol in July 2024. A respected law professor, Demos has also served as Cyprus's assistant National Rapporteur for key EU projects on unfair commercial practices and public document legislation, contributing to important legal reforms across Europe.

Kenneth Brincat

CEO

Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Kenneth Brincat is the CEO of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority. With 25 years of experience in management and digital transformation, Kenneth is spearheading MDIA 2.0: A driving force in Malta's digital landscape. He is catalysing the national agenda for responsible and human-centric development of artificial intelligence (AI) and the enabling of cybersecurity across industry. Under Kenneth's leadership the Authority adopted a collaborative approach enabling policymakers, industry experts and academia to synergise.

Ronni Hartvig

CCO

Betsson Group

Ronni Hartvig is Chief Commercial Officer at Betsson Group, where he has been a driving force behind the company’s international growth and customer-centric strategy since 2015. Appointed CCO & CMO in 2018, he leads Betsson’s global commercial operations and marketing, delivering innovative, localised, and responsible entertainment experiences across multiple markets. With over 20 years in iGaming, technology, and consumer businesses, and a BSc in Economics, Business, and Administration from Copenhagen Business School, he brings expertise in CRM, data-driven marketing, and brand development. Under his leadership, Betsson has expanded its footprint in LatAm and Europe and strengthened its portfolio through high-profile sports partnerships. Ronni is committed to shaping the future of iGaming by positioning Betsson as a trusted entertainment brand with customer experience at its core.

Alexandre Tomic

Founder

Alea

Alexandre Tomic is the founder of Alea.com, the multi-award winning company behind several successful B2C and B2B iGaming operations. He is well-known within the online gambling industry, having twenty years of experience in varying aspects ranging from affiliate network, casino operator and game aggregator. He is a biohacking enthusiast and is committed to promoting API governance by bringing best integration practices into the gambling industry.

Dmitry Starostenkov

CEO

EvenBet Gaming

Dmitry Starostenkov is CEO of EvenBet Gaming, a leader in iGaming innovation and growth. With over 20 years in high-tech and IT, he has led EvenBet since 2004, specialising in poker software, market expansion and strategic management. As a startup founder and frequent speaker, Dmitry is a respected industry thought leader.

Ivan Montik

Founder

SOFTSWISS

Ivan Montik is the founder of SOFTSWISS. The strongest supporter of cryptocurrency, Ivan empowered SOFTSWISS to become the first company to introduce Bitcoin into the online gambling industry in 2013. From its beginnings as a small outsourcing startup, SOFTSWISS has reached a global scale under Ivan's leadership. Now employing over 2,000 people worldwide and winning over 30 prestigious industry awards.

Richard Dennys

CEO

Game Lounge

Richard Dennys is the CEO of Game Lounge, an SEO-driven iGaming affiliate company with 131 websites across 39 countries. With over two decades in digital and affiliate marketing, Richard is known for his transformative leadership at companies like PwC, Yell, BBC and Nokia. Since joining Game Lounge in 2024, he has revitalised company culture, emphasising autonomy, work-life balance and continuous learning. Under his leadership, Game Lounge is pioneering the future of iGaming affiliate marketing.

Stepan Dobrovolskiy

CEO

BetBoom LATAM

Stepan Dobrovolskiy is the CEO at BetBoom LATAM. Stepan is the driving force behind BetBoom’s rapid expansion across Latin America, leading the brand’s focus on esports, entertainment, and innovative fan engagement to redefine online gaming for a new generation of players.

Franz Gerhart

CEO

Vyking

Franz Gerhart is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Vyking, an iGaming platform built around modular architecture, operator freedom, and scalable growth. With over 15 years of experience across eCommerce, software development, project management, and strategic leadership, Franz has led hundreds of projects inside and outside the iGaming industry. His background spans server and client-side development, business development, IT sales, and technology driven marketing, giving him a holistic view of how product, performance, and innovation intersect.

Simon Westbury

Strategic Advisor

1xbet

Simon Westbury, is a leading figure in the iGaming industry with over 18 years of experience. Simon has worked at companies such as Amaya and Digitiain, where he gained a reputation for building high performing commercial teams which delivered record year on year growth. Most recently, Simon was CEO of Sport Generate before moving into his current role with 1xBet where he leads the company’s growth into more regulated markets. Known for his leadership qualities, Simon, leads by example, by empowering his teams to not only deliver but to grow as iGaming professionals. Most recently, Simon was CEO of Sport Generate before moving into his current role with 1xbet where he is tasked with leading the company’s growth into more regulated markets and challenging the status quo.

Alex Gitsik

CMO

Soft2Bet

Alex Gitsik is Chief Marketing Officer at Soft2Bet, where he leads global marketing strategy, brand growth and player engagement across regulated markets. With more than a decade of marketing leadership experience, he focuses on driving sustainable expansion through a strong performance marketing approach, including innovative and data driven campaigns. His leadership plays a key role in strengthening Soft2Bet's position as a leading iGaming operator.

Andrei Frimescu

Marketing Director

Game World Romania

Andrei Frimescu is the Marketing Director of Game World, one of the leaders of the Romanian gambling industry. With over thirty years of experience in casino management and marketing, Andrei has worked for live table game operations, poker tournaments, slot machine halls, sports betting shops, studio casino games, and, in recent years, online gambling. He is also an experienced trainer, public speaker and the author of the book "Casino Marketing Inspired by Music".

Bernhard Teuchmann

Managing Director of the Product and Technology Division

Novomatic Spain

Bernhard Teuchmann joined the NOVOMATIC Group in 2008 and since 2012 works as Managing Director of the Product and Technology Division at NOVOMATIC Spain, the Spanish subsidiary of the Austrian gaming industry leader. Since 2015, Teuchmann also holds the presidency of Spanish manufacturers’ association Club de Convergentes, always supporting a transparent dialogue with the different regional gaming boards responsible for land-based gaming. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of EUROMAT since 2025.

Marcel Tobler

CEO

Swiss Casinos

Marcel Tobler has been CEO of Swiss Casinos since January 2024, having previously joined Stadtcasino Baden Group as CFO and driving innovation by launching Switzerland's first legal online casino, jackpots.ch and investing in tech startup Gamanza to enhance iGaming capabilities. Marcel’s leadership shaped data-driven strategies, loyalty programs and notable offerings like Switzerland’s first regulated crash game. With 11 years at PwC Marcel is a seasoned leader in the gaming and entertainment industry.

John Hagan

Managing Partner

Harris Hagan

John Hagan is Managing Partner of Harris Hagan, specialising in all aspects of online and land-based gambling law, John is ranked in global directories and recognised as a “market leader in gaming law”. John has extensive gambling law, regulatory and licensing experience having advised major international clients on matters ranging from license applications, compliance investigations and license reviews to M&A related specialist gambling advice.

Belal Jassoma

Director of Ecosystems

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

Belal Jassoma is Director of Ecosystems at DMCC, the world’s leading business district and authority on international commodities trade and enterprise. Belal joined DMCC in 2011 and has been instrumental in scaling up DMCC’s ecosystems and commercial offering, including new products, services and member engagement programmes. In his current capacity as Director for Ecosystems, Belal is responsible for developing key strategic relationships, partnerships and product functions.

Dr Aftab Rizvi

CEO

Gaming Associates

Dr. Aftab Rizvi is an internationally recognised iGaming compliance and regulatory advisor with over 25 years of experience in iGaming compliance, audits, regulatory frameworks and cybersecurity. He is the founder of Gaming Associates, an internationally recognised, accredited test lab approved in over 55 jurisdictions. His expertise includes drafting technical requirements, compliance policies and implementing global standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, PCI DSS, GDPR, and NDB.

Sal Piacente

President

UniverSal Game Protection Development, Inc.

Sal Piacente is a casino game protection expert and master showman with 40 years in the casino industry and 200 plus casino clients worldwide. He electrifies audiences by exposing the scams, cheats and cons that few ever see up close, blending insider knowledge with world class sleight of hand and riveting storytelling. A familiar face on television, Sal hosted the Travel Channel series Game On, America and appeared on Cheating Vegas and Casino Wars. His Vanity Fair YouTube feature has over 14 million views.

Alexey Chepkov

COO

SOFTSWISS

Alexey Chepkov is Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS. He is a C-level executive with over 10 years of experience leading high-impact operations across fintech, crypto-processing, iGaming, payments, and high-risk industries. He specialises in building scalable business infrastructures, driving strategic growth, and bringing operational clarity to fast-moving, high-stakes environments. Alexey has managed multi-country operations, billion-dollar P&Ls, and cross-functional teams, ensuring full compliance with EU and North American regulatory frameworks.

Kris Galloway

Head of iGaming Product

Sumsub

Kris Galloway is head of iGaming Product at Sumsub, having spent over a decade with leading operators, he combines traditional casino solutions with pioneering trends to shape the industry's future. His expertise spans sports betting, skin gambling, neo casino games, KYC and anti-fraud, bridging gaming innovation with responsible and compliant player experiences.

Frank Cecchini

Head of Lottery

Evoplay

Francesco (Frank) Cecchini has a background in fintech, notably with Dimoco in Austria and is currently the Head of Lottery at Evoplay. With over 25 years of experience in the lottery and gaming industry, including leadership roles at Betware (later NOVOMATIC Lottery Solutions) and GTECH/IGT, he has developed strategies to innovate and disrupt the lottery technology market by addressing cost, speed and reliability challenges.

Rob Wheeler

Managing Director

RBW Systems

Rob Wheeler is a visionary systems leader with 25 years’ experience delivering cashless and machine/player management technologies to the land-based gaming industry. He is the Founder and Managing Director of RBW Systems, which provides a proven wide-area middleware solution securely connecting cashless payment platforms with thousands of gaming terminals across bars and restaurants throughout the UK.

Dmitry Lazarichev

Co-Founder

Wirex

Dmitry Lazarichev Co-founded Wirex in 2014 and has been an integral force in the rapid growth of the company. Dmitry also leads Finance, Risk, Compliance and Legal teams and is responsible for Corporate Strategy at Wirex. He is seen as a significant voice in the crypto and blockchain arena. He has 20 years’ worth of Financial experience and is a serial entrepreneur and he aims to provide everyone access to the most innovative financial services.

Xavier Gomez

Group COO

Vancelian

Xavier Gomez is COO of Vancelian, specialising in investment solutions integrating traditional finance and blockchain. He is Founder of MUWPAY, a DeFi platform simplifying multi-token transfers, and Co-founder of INVYO, a data management start-up. Since 2024, he has been a Supervisory Board member at Banque Delubac & Cie, chairing the remuneration and nominations committee. He is also a global fintech speaker, investor, advisor and regular columnist on BFM Business TV.

Alex Konewko

Director & CEO

Finductive

Tony Ventura

Innovation and Technology Speaker

Tony Ventura is a tech influencer, an international speaker and a dedicated technology researcher. He is known for his work in technology and innovation in Brazil, where he created the Digital Transformation course for the Ministry of Economy. He founded the largest digital tools community in Latin America, positively transforming thousands of lives through technology. In addition, Tony established the Brazil Startups association, supporting numerous startups with technology and investments.

Ron Segev

Founding Partner

Segev LLP

Ron Segev is the Founding Partner of Segev LLP, a globally recognized business law firm specializing in gaming, betting, blockchain, and fintech. He advises clients at the intersection of gaming, digital assets, and financial innovation, guiding them through licensing, compliance, and regulatory challenges. Recognized by Chambers & Partners and Lexology as a leading Gaming and Betting Lawyer, Ron is a frequent speaker and contributor to major industry publications including iGaming Business, SBC Media, and American Gaming Lawyer.

Antonio Abdilla Zerafa

Project-Based Consultant

International Betting Integrity Association

Antonio Abdilla Zerafa has a strong background in gambling regulation, financial crime prevention and sports betting integrity. He spent over nine years at the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), where he led initiatives in AML, due diligence and sports betting integrity, serving as MLRO and Head of Financial Crime Compliance. He played a key role in establishing the Authority’s Sports Betting Integrity team and enhanced integrity programmes. He also represented the MGA and Malta at global industry events and senior committees.

Jonathan Low

Founder & CEO

Biptap

Jonathan Low, a visionary entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience, is transforming the global financial landscape as Founder and CEO of Biptap. By merging blockchain technology with traditional banking, he addresses challenges in payments, financial accessibility and privacy, creating innovative solutions that empower businesses and individuals.

Giovanni Cunti

CEO Europe

Gate

Giovanni Cunti has over 25 years of executive experience leading technology and financial services companies worldwide. Currently CEO Europe of Gate, an EU-regulated crypto exchange and part of Gate Group, he is responsible for strategy, expanding market presence and increasing revenues across Europe. Renowned for pioneering fintech services and blockchain projects, Giovanni possesses deep expertise in crypto, blockchain innovations and navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of the industry.

Matt Zarb-Cousin

Director

Gamban

Matt Zarb-Cousin is a Co-Founder of Gamban, director of Clean Up Gambling and senior government affairs advisor to YieldSec. As spokesperson for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, he lobbied successfully for a reduction in the maximum stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals from £100 to £2 a spin. The Campaign for Fairer Gambling has recently relaunched with a focus on policy reform in the US.

Mark Flores Martin

CEO

XGENIA

Mark Flores Martin is CEO of XGENIA and a tech visionary, launching his first mobile game at the age of 25. With deep knowledge of both game development and AI, Mark has successfully positioned XGENIA at the forefront of an AI revolution in iGaming. His relentless pursuit of innovation ensures that XGENIA continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI-driven gaming.

David Mkrtchyan

SEO Team Lead

VBET

With 8 years of experience in the iGaming industry, covering product lifecycle from development to optimisation, David Mkrtchyan has built a solid understanding of what it takes to succeed in this competitive field. He believes SEO is about balancing traditional techniques with new trends to deliver long-term results. At VBET, a globally recognised betting and gaming platform powered by BetConstruct, he focuses on boosting brand visibility and engaging users through strategic SEO.

Renz Gonzales

Head of Business Development

PropellerAds

Renz is the Head of Business Development at PropellerAds, where he champions the belief that every brand can thrive with the right traffic source. With over a decade of experience in digital advertising, Renz has worked with hundreds of global brands, affiliates, and media buying agencies, helping them achieve measurable and sustainable growth through strategic campaign planning. He has also spoken at and hosted leading industry conferences worldwide, including Affiliate World Europe, SiGMA Conferences, and ABC, sharing insights on traffic acquisition, ad tech innovation, and performance marketing.

Dan Morrison

Director of New Business

Fast Track

Dan is a seasoned leader with over a decade of experience driving growth and innovation in the technology and gaming industries. Currently serving as the Director of New Business at Fast Track, Dan excels in building and nurturing client relationships, spearheading new initiatives, and driving revenue growth. Prior to his role at Fast Track, Dan held key positions within the industry, where he demonstrated his expertise in commercial strategy and leadership. With a track record of success, Dan brings a wealth of strategic vision and operational expertise.

Gil Solomon

Founder

Gil Solomon & Co

Gil Solomon is the founder of Gil Solomon & Co., a boutique law firm ranked among Israel’s leading firms in M&A, high-tech and blockchain. He advises clients from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies on complex cross-border transactions, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital investments, blockchain and cryptocurrency matters, and other emerging technology sectors. Gil is recognised as one of the youngest attorneys and managing partners in Israel to be ranked by major legal directories.

Angelo Dalli

CSO & CTO

Umnai

As Umnai’s Chief Executive Officer, Angelo Dalli is responsible for leading the company’s commercial, product and technology strategy. Angelo has published over 23 scientific publications in Europe and the US and has over twenty years of experience in various executive positions in technology, entertainment and fintech companies. As a serial entrepreneur, Angelo was involved in four IPOs and invested in more than 40 successful companies.

Karl Schranz

CEO

E&S Group

Karl Schranz is the CEO and co-founder of E&S Group, a multidisciplinary advisory firm in Malta. Over more than 15 years, he has overseen complex cross-border projects, guided leading enterprises through regulatory challenges and positioned the firm at the forefront of innovation. Karl has also spearheaded the development of MAIA, a structured logic AI platform designed to transform business operations. His leadership combines strategic insight with a commitment to technology-driven solutions.

Armin Aganovic

COO & CRO

Joelsson Media Group | Aboutslots.com & CasinoDaddy

Armin Aganovic is overseeing operations, revenue, and strategic partnerships across Aboutslots.com and CasinoDaddy.com. With extensive experience in live streaming, SEO, and affiliate collaboration, he works closely with over 300 partners and manages more than 900 products. Armin specializes in optimizing player acquisition, boosting retention, and enhancing brand awareness in the competitive online gaming landscape.

Heathcliff Farrugia

COO

SiGMA Group

Artem Bychkov

Deputy CSO

SOFTSWISS

Artem Bychkov is a Deputy CSO at SOFTSWISS. He has led end-to-end product security programmes for several major financial and tech companies, focusing on every aspect of the process. With nearly 20 years of experience in the field, he has run a consulting practice and is skilled in both offensive and defensive cybersecurity. He is currently leading the product security programme at SOFTSWISS.

Dmytro Sorysh

Head of AI products, AI Domain Product Officer

RedCore

Dmytro Sorysh is the Head of Product, AI Solutions at RedCore, where he leads the development of automation platforms redefining player and customer engagement through voice and conversational AI. His career spans from enterprise environments like Shell to fast-growing startups, always focused on measurable business outcomes. At RedCore, Dmytro combines product vision with deep AI expertise to turn complex CRM and support operations into data-driven ecosystems. His goal is to make business communication fully autonomous and instantly impactful.

Pierre Lindh

Co-Founder & Managing Director

NEXT.io

Danylo Diachenko

CBDO

Devils

Danny Diachenko is CBDO at Devils, leading global partnerships and business development. Since joining in 2022, he has driven growth by building a network of 800+ partners and diversifying traffic sources. With strong affiliate marketing expertise, Danny focuses on optimising campaigns, expanding global reach and fostering industry innovation.

Reuben Portanier

Partner

GTG

Reuben Portanier is a seasoned C-Level professional with extensive regulatory and executive management experience across consulting, technology, fintech and gaming. At GTG, he leads Regulated Business Advisory, Business Consulting, Mergers & Acquisitions and Compliance Consulting, while also specialising in ESG and licensing support. He previously served as CEO of the Malta Gaming Authority and as a Board Trustee of the International Association of Gaming Regulators. Reuben has advised the Government of Malta on gaming policy and European regulatory affairs.

Dr. Sara Al Madani

The Emirati Entrepreneur

Sara Al Madani, widely known as Dr. Sara Al Madani, is a renowned entrepreneur, fashion designer, restaurateur and tech-preneur. She had the vision to launch her first business at the age of 15, demonstrating determination from an early age. Over the years, she has built a diverse portfolio across multiple industries, establishing herself as a pioneering businesswoman and influential voice in the entrepreneurial landscape. Sara Al Madani is the originator of the viral philosophy 'Job Your Love' – a call to build your life around what truly ignites you, transforming passion into purpose, work into freedom, and success into authentic impact.

Tatyana Kaminskaya

Head of Game Aggregator

SOFTSWISS

Tatyana Kaminskaya is the Head of Game Aggregator at SOFTSWISS, with nearly a decade of experience in iGaming. Since joining the company in 2016, she has advanced from Account Manager to leading one of SOFTSWISS’ flagship products. Under her leadership, the Game Aggregator has become an award-winning solution, recognised by SiGMA Europe Awards 2023, EGR B2B Awards and others. Tatyana’s expertise and strategic vision have positioned the Game Aggregator as one of the strongest products in the global iGaming market.

Clemence Dujardin

Group CEO

MyAffiliates

Clemence Dujardin is Group CEO at MyAffiliates where she is responsible for driving growth and strategic development. Her exceptional leadership and contributions have been recognised with prestigious awards, including Malta’s Best Gaming Woman Leader of the Year in 2018 and 2019 and SiGMA’s CEO Woman of the Year in 2021. Her influence in the industry was further solidified in 2023 when she was honoured by iGB, securing a spot among the Top 10 Most Influential Women in the iGaming industry.

Miranda Guliashvili

Head of Regional Growth

SOFTSWISS

Miranda Guliashvili is the Head of Regional Growth at SOFTSWISS, leading expansion across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. She has built international teams, driven market entry strategies, and led complex negotiations with operators and aggregators. Her focus is on forging new partnerships and delivering sustainable growth in both regulated and emerging markets.

Sergey Kastukevich

CTO

SOFTSWISS

Sergey Kastukevich is Deputy CTO at SOFTSWISS. He is a technology leader with a strong background in enterprise development across desktop, web, and mobile domains. With a result-oriented mindset and commitment to delivering high-quality management services, he focuses on creating value for customers, teams, and shareholders.

Yancy Naughton

Founder

Has Traffic

Torben Friis

Managing Director

Match Liquidity DMCC

Torben Friis is the Managing Director in charge of global distribution at Match Liquidity DMCC. Match is a leading market maker for financial institutions and wholesale clients seeking access to institutional liquidity across capital markets. Torben is a Danish national having started his financial career at Saxo Bank moving on to Asset Management in Switzerland and setting up IG.com in Europe and leading the expansion of activtrades.com to mention a few. Areas of interest are digital assets including central bank digital currencies and what will be the next step for the financial industry as a whole.

Michael Mallia

Head of the Malta Police Liaison Office

Europol in The Hague

Michael Mallia heads the Malta Police Liaison Office at Europol in The Hague, serving as national lead for cross-border organised and financial crime investigations. He has led complex international cases into organised, financial and economic crime. At Europol, he has strengthened public-private partnerships and directed multi-agency operations countering online fraud, cyber-attacks and virtual currency misuse. His expertise is in intelligence-led disruption of crime spans to cybercrime prevention, AML enforcement and asset recovery.

Pankhuri Bansal

Blockchain Expert

United Nations

Pankhuri is an appointed AI and Blockchain expert with the United Nations and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). She is the founder of Blockom Consulting and brings over 13 years of fintech experience in consulting, advising start-ups, and developing technological solutions on a global scale. Her expertise spans blockchain in supply chain, payment solutions, and the integration of AI with blockchain. She is ex-JP Morgan, Onyx, where she played an integral role in developing the bank’s crypto solutions. She has authored several research papers for the United Nations and contributed published standards with ISO on use cases and challenges within the blockchain, AI, and IoT industries. Her academic background includes a triple Master’s degree in Internet of Things & Entrepreneurship from City University, UK; a Postgraduate qualification in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning from the University of Texas, Austin; an MSc in Economics & Finance from the University of Warwick, UK; and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics & Finance from the London School of Economics, UK.

Vladimir Malakchi

CEO & Managing Partner

Xanada Investments

Vladimir Malakchi is a strategic investor and scaling specialist with 10+ years’ experience accelerating iGaming businesses to top-tier performance. Named Speaker of the Year, Influencer of the Year and a leading LinkedIn voice, he has guided clients to over 300 industry awards. A respected judge and keynote contributor at international gambling conferences, he founded Xanada Investments in 2024 to finance and unite visionary iGaming projects within a collaborative ecosystem.

Meryem Habibi

CRO

Bitpace

Meryem Habibi is the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Bitpace, a leading global crypto payment gateway. With a distinguished career spanning sales, marketing and strategic partnerships across five diverse industries. Her professional journey includes pivotal leadership positions at industry giants such as Samsung and Diebold Nixdorf, where she spearheaded strategic development, expansion into emerging markets and revenue diversification. At Bitpace, Meryem is dedicated to advancing user-friendly, cutting-edge solutions in the fast-paced fintech sector.

Gor Chatyan

Deputy CMO

SoftConstruct

Gor Chatyan is a results-driven business development and marketing expert with over 10 years of experience in the Marketing, iGaming, and B2B sectors. Specializing in creating and executing strategic marketing plans, he has a proven track record of managing global product portfolios and driving significant business growth. His expertise spans market research, digital marketing, affiliate marketing, and customer engagement. Gor is highly adept at leveraging data analytics to inform strategy and optimize performance, ensuring alignment with business goals and KPIs. A visionary leader, Gor is committed to delivering innovative solutions that propel businesses forward in competitive markets.

Brendon Spiteri

Head of Commercial

Routy

An experienced digital marketer with seven years of expertise in the iGaming industry, specialising in affiliate marketing. Passionate about digital marketing and committed to self development, always seeking new opportunities to expand skills and stay ahead of industry trends. The approach is data driven and commercially focused, delivering measurable results while driving growth. Values collaboration with colleagues and external partners, having built a strong network within the affiliate and iGaming sectors.

Nataliia Lavruk

Head of Affiliates

Melbet

Nataliia Lavruk is Head of Affiliates at Melbet, leading affiliate traffic acquisition with a particular focus on the LATAM region. With over seven years in iGaming affiliate marketing, she has developed deep expertise across emerging markets including LATAM, SEA, MENA, and Africa, which are rapidly becoming global iGaming hubs. She has successfully managed market entry strategies from the ground up, combining her experience as both affiliate and brand manager to ensure programs are effectively represented at major online and offline iGaming events worldwide. Her local market insights allow her to identify key trends and create affiliate-friendly environments that drive sustainable growth. A skilled negotiator and dedicated professional, Nataliia has built a robust global network of partners, particularly within less regulated markets. Passionate about collaboration, she consistently supports affiliates with actionable market intelligence, relevant traffic sources, and tailored messaging to maximise player acquisition.

Mariusz Gasiewski

CEE Mobile Gaming & Apps Lead

Google

With Google since 2007, Mariusz Gasiewski is a leading expert in the gaming, iGaming, and app sectors across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). He partners with the region's top companies, leveraging unique data to uncover critical trends in app categories and user behavior. Mariusz spearheads key initiatives that accelerate the growth of the mobile ecosystem in CEE and has guided many of Google's largest clients in developing and executing winning mobile strategies. A recognized thought leader, he is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and the founder of GameCamp (www.gamecamp.io), a premier European community for mobile gaming and app professionals. He also leads an angel investment community, bringing together specialists in gaming, apps, AI, and the Cloud from over 15 countries.

Ana Schulz

COO

FinchPay

Ana Schulz has been a crypto enthusiast for over seven years. In 2018, she played a pivotal role in developing an instant crypto exchange from the ground up as a Project Manager. For three years of her career, Ana managed an acquisition team at a well-known Сasino brand, overcoming challenges of traditional payment methods unavailability in various markets and regulatory areas. This background helps her to excel at FinchPay, a fintech project that develops cost-efficient, accessible and high-converting crypto payment solutions for high-risk businesses.

Tim French

Commercial Manager

Greco

Having worked across various facets of the B2B supply chain, Tim has been instrumental in fostering partnerships, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiencies that drive value for stakeholders in the gaming ecosystem. Currently, Tim is a key team member at Greco, the industry's first gameplay risk engine. Greco focuses on the detection and prevention of bonus abuse occurring in real time, ensuring a safer and fairer gaming environment.

Leonid Pudov

CEO

mr.Booster Agency

Leonid Pudov is the CEO of mr.Booster Agency, a fast-growing full-cycle marketing agency. With 10 years of experience in marketing, he has worked across key industries such as iGaming, fintech, and sports betting. Throughout his career, Leonid has launched full-scale 360° campaigns, mastered retargeting strategies, led brand awareness initiatives, and built strong expertise in media buying. Currently, Leonid is expanding into the AdTech sector, developing innovative solutions to enhance marketing strategies in this rapidly evolving industry.

Dr Kyle Scerri

Senior Manager – Legal

CSB International

Dr Kyle Scerri joined CSB Group in November 2020. His role initially focused on managing the Gaming and Fintech sectors within the organisation. In July 2024, he advanced to the position of Senior Manager within the Legal department. Kyle read law at the University of Malta whereby he was conferred a Bachelor of Laws degree and progressed to achieve a Doctor of Laws degree in 2017. He went on to further his studies at the University of London and has been conferred the degree of Master of Laws in Banking and Finance Law. Throughout his career, Kyle has assumed different positions at companies in the financial auditing and advisory space. Prior to joining CSB, he also formed part of a blockchain advisory firm and a locally based law firm. Throughout his career, his main fields of specialisation have always been financial services, capital markets and remote gambling, advising a range of enterprises and promoters in each relevant space along the way.

Anna Badaeva

Group DPO & Security Expert

Tonybet

Anna Badaeva joined Tonybet in June 2025 as a Group DPO & Security Expert, where she focuses on bolstering the company’s privacy and cybersecurity compliance framework in a highly regulated environment. In her dual role at Tonybet, she's responsible for guiding the strategic direction of data privacy and ensuring the operational security of player information. Anna’s expertise lies in developing and implementing robust cybersecurity frameworks that comply with global regulations such as GDPR and CCPA, while also enabling innovative business growth. She is passionate about integrating a privacy-by-design approach into all aspects of the business. Anna regularly shares insights on achieving the critical balance among security, compliance, and the player experience.

David Arutinyan

Head of Affiliates

1xSlots Partners

David Arutinyan is an experienced Head of Affiliates specialising in the gambling and casino industry, currently leading the affiliate programme at 1xSlots Partners. With a strong background in digital marketing, partnership development and business strategy, he has contributed to the growth of iGaming brands and overseen international affiliate operations across Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. Fluent in Armenian, Georgian, Russian and English, David excels in building long term relationships and driving innovation within the affiliate sector.

Oliver De Bono

Co-Founder & CCO

Quantum Gaming

With 20 years of experience in tech, gaming and team building, Oliver De Bono has led sportsbook operations, content strategy and complex platform development. He has led global commercial growth, raised funds and built recruitment and tech teams across startups and scale-ups. Deeply passionate about tech, gaming and crypto, Oliver now heads Quantum Gaming, an iGaming platform provider focused on scalable solutions for both emerging and established brands.

Keith Zammit

CEO

Elevate AI

Keith Zammit is a seasoned startup and AI strategist, spearheading innovation at the intersection of iGaming, artificial intelligence, and game development. Based in Gozo, he leads Elevate AI, the leading global AI and iGaming Accelerator Program.

Prof. Massimo di Giannantonio

Healthcare Expert

Christian Gruber

COO

Merkur Sportsbetting GmbH

Christian Gruber is a graduate lawyer and Germanist with 15 years in marketing and communications for various Bundesliga clubs before taking over as Managing Director of Tipico, responsible for business in Germany, Austria, Belgium and Denmark. This was followed by positions as Managing Director and Country Manager at Sport1, Mr Green, William Hill and the Stadt Casino Baden Group. Since the beginning of 2025, he serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Merkur Group's German sports betting division.

Josefin Uppeke

Senior Product Owner

Wicked Games

Josefin Uppeke has been in game production since 2016 and has worked across multiple studios and countries, leading projects from concept to launch. She is now Senior Product Owner at Wicked Games, creating bold, edgy titles alongside modern twists on the classics. Naturally outgoing and collaborative, she brings teams together and keeps the creative flow moving in the right direction. What drives her is building experiences that connect with players, games that stand out, surprise people and have that spark of rebellion and purpose.

Alessandro Ciacchini

Director

KEO WORLD

Alessandro Ciacchini, born in Florence, is an international entrepreneur and strategic advisor with extensive experience in finance, technology, and global business development. After co-founding a commodities brokerage firm early in his career, he expanded into international trading, fashion retail partnerships, and investment ventures across Europe and beyond. Since 2006, he has focused on consulting and investment through the Trustfin Group and subsequent ventures, supporting companies worldwide in growth, fundraising, and strategic positioning. He has played a key role in fintech and technology projects, including Keo World and Mo Technologies, and served as Senior Advisor to the Board of Rama Vision Investments in Dubai. He is also a Board Member of Bloom, a Colombian company active in the equity crowdfunding sector, and Board Advisor of Mobile Streams PLC, a gaming and e-sports company listed on the AIM market in London. In addition to direct investment and advisory roles, Alessandro has contributed to educational and institutional initiatives, serving on the Advisory Board of Woodfield Christian University where he lectures on Fintech Management. He is also Vice President of the ""Alimentando un Niño"" Foundation, dedicated to improving the nutrition of disadvantaged children. With decades of experience across finance, fintech, and international markets, Alessandro Ciacchini brings a global vision and hands-on expertise to businesses and institutions seeking sustainable growth and innovation.

Emiliano Sanchez

CCO

Mancala Gaming

Emiliano Sanchez is the CCO at Mancala Gaming, where he oversees the company’s global commercial strategy, partner relations, and cross-market expansion. With over 17 years of experience in the iGaming industry, covering both B2B and B2C verticals, Emiliano has been instrumental in shaping Mancala’s international growth and in developing a diverse and innovative games portfolio. Throughout his career, he has focused on building bridges between operators and providers, emphasising flexible integrations, scalable gamification tools, and content tailored to modern player behaviours.

Vlad Bondarenko

Head of Product

ReferOn

Vladyslav Bondarenko leads product development at ReferOn, a next-generation affiliate marketing platform. A major focus for him is automating affiliate program management to minimise manual work and unlock operational scaling. With a background in data-driven product design, Vladyslav has built systems where "laziness" is a feature, not a bug — every process is optimised for speed, simplicity and bulk actions without compromising security or transparency. He believes eliminating unnecessary effort is the fastest path to better results.

Geronimo Cardia

Founder

Studio Cardia

With over 25 years experience in the public gaming sector, Geronimo Cardia is a Cassation Lawyer, Chartered Accountant, Statutory Auditor and owner of Studio Cardia. He has held institutional roles in public and private entities and served as chairman, member of boards of auditors and supervisory bodies, as well as liquidator and curator. Formerly Adjunct Professor of International Tax Law at the G. D’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, as well as speaker and lecturer at various conferences. He earned the Le Fonti Award in 2025, 2024 and 2019 for “Boutique of Excellence of the Year in the Gaming Sector”.

Fiorentina D'Amore

CEO Malta & Senior Director of Business Operations (EU)

Blockchain.com

Fiorentina is a seasoned fintech leader with over 25 years of experience spanning Malta's largest banks, top fintech startups and global crypto businesses. She has held senior roles at industry leaders including eToro and Bitpanda, and today serves as CEO of Blockchain.com in Malta, leading their European operations. Fiorentina also chairs FIMA (the Financial Institutions Malta Association). Specialising in innovation, operational risk, compliance and strategy, she combines regulatory expertise with a drive for growth. She holds a Master's in Technology and Innovation Management.

Fabrizio Bergamaschi

SVP Gaming Global Multichannel

Nuvei

Fabrizio is the Senior Vice President Multichannel for Nuvei, a leading payment company in the iGaming industry. With over 20 years of experience in payments, Fabrizio is specialised in payment solutions for the gambling sector in Italy and international markets. His expertise includes navigating regulatory complexities, optimising payment processes, and ensuring seamless transactions in highly regulated environments.

Adam Mateja

Co-Founder & CEO

Blurify

Adam Mateja is CEO and Co-founder of Blurify, a company specialising in building secure and reliable tech products with a strong focus on the iGaming industry. With over a decade of experience in IT and a track record of delivering more than 100 successful projects, Adam has extensive expertise in strategic advisory roles maximising client success. His specialisation lies in providing tailored software solutions for casino operators, sportsbook providers and game developers, ensuring seamless user experiences and efficient business operations.

Sofia Maria Cucciniello

Head of Legal & Compliance

Blockchain.com

Domenico Vacchiano

Co-Founder & CTO

SlotMatic

Domenico Vacchiano is a seasoned technology executive with 20+ years of experience in iGaming and fintech, specialising in large-scale software architecture and cloud innovation. Starting at IBM as a consultant for Citibank and JP Morgan, later Domenico held senior roles at leading gambling technology brands including Derivco/Microgaming, Betway, WeAreCasino and Gaming Innovation Group (GIG). Domenico is former Director of Engineering at Catena Media and Casumo, and a multi-certified AWS professional with expertise across cloud architecture, AI/ML, and serverless technologies.

Francesco Maietich

Creative Lead

Cozmoplay

Francesco Maietich is Creative Lead at Cozmo Play, where he drives the vision and development of innovative slot games. Beginning his career as a concept artist, he has carried a strong artistic foundation into the digital entertainment world. A lifelong enthusiast and researcher of video games, cinema and digital culture, Francesco draws on a broad range of influences to create immersive, story driven content. His approach emphasises atmosphere and originality, ensuring each project stands apart in both design and feel.

Ian Sherrington

CEO

Crownstar

Ian Sherrington is a technology professional and writer with a strong background in software development, online gaming and emerging technologies. He is credited with creating the world's first online sportsbook, a landmark achievement that helped lay the foundation for one of the internet's most notable industries. Over the years, Ian has worked across diverse areas of digital innovation, from building web applications to exploring blockchain, artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. Based in the Netherlands, he is an everyday cyclist.

Dr Andreas Ditsche

CEO

iGaming.com Group GmbH

Dr. Andreas Ditsche is CEO of iGaming.com Group GmbH, a leading global affiliate company in the regulated online gambling industry. With a dual background in management academia and executive leadership, he brings a unique perspective to the intersection of ethics, digital innovation and regulated markets. As a university professor, Dr. Ditsche lectures on innovation management, entrepreneurship and business ethics, focusing on responsible leadership in complex environments. He is a vocal advocate for player protection and sustainable industry practices.

James Spiteri Staines

Director

Beacon Finance

James Spiteri Staines began his career in the financial sector at 19 with a Big 4 audit firm, qualifying as an ACCA in 2014 and obtaining audit and accounting warrants. He later joined a major CSP, expanding his accounting expertise with national and international clients. In 2018 he became a sole practitioner providing audit and accounting services, before co-founding Beacon Finance Ltd in 2020, where he now serves as Accounts and Payroll Director.

Maurizio Soccodato

Founder & CEO

Global Lab

Maurizio Soccodato is an Italian entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in technology and gaming. He is the CEO and founder of Global Lab Ltd, a leading international testing laboratory with offices in Malta, Romania, South Afria and Brazil. Known for his focus on quality, innovation and client growth, Maurizio has driven global expansion and aims to make certifications more transparent and accessible across the gaming industry.

Wojtek Sznapka

Co-Founder & CEO

Gamblitude.ai

Wojtek Sznapka is CEO and Co-Founder of Gamblitude, bringing two decades of tech experience, including 11 years in iGaming, to his leadership role. His passion lies in solving complex industry problems using Big Data and AI. After 11 years working on the operator side, he co-founded Gamblitude to solve the iGaming industry's common data analytics problem by democratising data and using cutting edge cloud technologies and AI. Previously, as CTO at STS Gaming Group, he developed expertise in Data Warehouse design and scalable microservice systems.

Nathalie Oestmann

Partner

Mangosteen Advisory

Nathalie Oestmann is a seasoned scale-up operations executive and LinkedIn Top Voice with deep expertise in Fintech, Payments, and Web3. An experienced operator and investor, she has served as COO at Outlier Ventures, a leading Web3 accelerator and at Curve OS, a payments wallet fintech. Previously, she was GM of Samsung Pay Europe, launching its mobile payments solution across the continent. Nathalie is currently a Partner at Mangosteen Advisory, supporting VC- and PE-backed startups in achieving their scaling goals.

Giulio Coraggio

Partner

DLA Piper Partner

Giulio Coraggio is Partner and Head of the Intellectual Property & Technology department in Italy, as well as Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Gaming & Gambling group. Dual-qualified in Italy and in England and Wales, he has over 20 years of experience advising multinational companies on IT, eCommerce, data protection, cybersecurity, and gaming and gambling matters. Giulio is recognized for his problem-solving approach, with notable expertise in data compliance, cyberattacks, international technology agreements, and emerging areas such as AI, NFTs, the metaverse, and cryptocurrency.

Keith Geary

Director of Casino

Game Lounge

Keith Geary is Director of Casino at Game Lounge, a seasoned casino and affiliate leader with deep expertise in the global gaming industry. With over 15 years of experience, he has driven acquisition, product development and CRM strategies for major gaming brands, including Playtech, Camelot and Game Lounge. Keith specialises in using market data, UX/UI optimisation and AI driven solutions to maximise player conversion and engagement. His strategic vision has consistently delivered measurable growth.

Giusy Campo

Business Development Director

Groovetech

Giusy Campo is driving global client growth and expanding market reach. With seven years at GLI Gaming Labs, she brings deep expertise in compliance and regulations across multiple regulated markets, coupled with strong skills in sales, customer engagement, and relationship-building. Originally from Italy and now based in Dubai, Giusy holds a degree in Clinical Psychology, which enhances her ability to connect with clients and deliver tailored solutions. She began her iGaming career at age 20 with an Italian online casino and later Snai, gaining extensive industry insights that inform her strategic approach today.

Tamas Kusztos

СCО

Playson

Tamas Kusztos is responsible for overseeing Playson’s commercial strategy. With over a decade of iGaming experience, Kusztoz supports the company’s ambitious growth expansion with his versatile expertise and diverse leadership skills. An expert in commercial development and strategy, he plays a crucial role by setting data-driven goals for the company and delivering strong results that reinforce Playson’s presence in more than 25 regulated markets.

Mauro Miceli

Director of Operations

Betstarters

Mauro is the Director of Operations at Betstarters, with extensive experience driving efficiency, optimising processes, and leading high-performing teams in the iGaming industry. Previously, he was Operations Manager at GM Gaming/BETWAY, where he managed cross-functional teams, streamlined workflows, and implemented data-driven strategies that enhanced productivity, reduced costs, and maximised revenue growth. Specialising in strategic planning, risk management, compliance, customer experience optimisation, business development, and process automation, Mauro thrives in fast-paced environments.

Tamara Novitović

Head of SEO

Bazoom Group

Tamara Novitović is Head of SEO at Bazoom Group, a global media marketplace for operators and affiliates. She helps new brands, enterprise operators and affiliates scale traffic and visibility through advanced link-building, local SEO and strategies that strengthen brand presence and AI search. An experienced industry speaker at events like BrightonSEO and SiGMA, Tamara shares insights on building authority, adapting to search changes and driving sustainable growth in the iGaming space.

Yaroslav Babych

CCO

ZM Team

Yaroslav Babych is the CCO of ZM, iGaming media group. He has over 3 years of experience in traffic monetisation and apps rental service management. He has built a powerful team of BDMs, Account and Sales managers and optimised the work of the commercial department. Led by Yaroslav, the commercial department successfully covers all the requests of 100+ Media buyers and collaborates with more than 500 direct advertisers, resulting in monthly profits of millions of dollars.

Jaguar-Adva Gal

CEO

Jaguar Reg&Comp

Jaguar Adva Gal, Adv. CPA, CEO of Jaguar Lawyers, has many years experience managing international strategic investments in startups, wide-ranging investment and portfolio management for the world's largest venture capital fund: Intel Capital. Jaguar Lawyers Firm leads international business law consulting, including building companies contractual structure, international licensing, regulatory compliance, and court litigation, as well as legal financial arbitration.

Mark Curmi

Non-Executive Director

Sparkasse Bank Malta

Mark Curmi is an established financial services professional with over 20 years experience in financial services through various roles at International Credit Institutions, BIG 4 Advisory Firm and Fintech outfits. He is currently the CEO and Executive at Trumia Ltd and member of the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (ISFP) in Malta, the Malta Chamber of Commerce and the SME Chamber. Prior to joining Trumia Ltd, Mr. Curmi was heavily involved in the establishment of fintech outfit Andaria Financial Services Ltd, an EMI/ASPSP based in Malta and the UK.

Stefan Lavén

Founder

Data Talks

Stefan Lavén is the Founder of Data Talks, the leading Sports Customer Data Platform helping clubs, leagues and federations monetise supporter data. With over 25 years of experience scaling tech companies, Stefan has a proven track record of growing organisations from startup stage to €100M+ in revenue while maintaining a startup mindset. Under his leadership, Data Talks has become a trusted partner for sports organisations across Europe and beyond.

Franco Bompani

Chairman

Eidos Consulting Srl

Franco Bompani served as a Second Lieutenant in the Guardia di Finanza (Italian Finance Police) from 1982 to 1983, before beginning his professional career, which he combined with ongoing education and training. A former partner at Matrix Srl (Poliedros Group), since 1999 he has been President of Eidos Consulting. Since the early 2000s, he has specialised in Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, and ESG, coordinating the preparation of numerous Social and Sustainability Reports, particularly for companies in the public gaming sector.

Emir Bursa

Founder & CEO

Delta3 Technologies

Emir Bursa is the Founder of Delta3, a UK-based Web3 software company redefining how organisations monetise and engage audiences. With expertise in sports business, blockchain technology and digital memberships, his company creates subscription-based programs that empower sports and esports clubs to connect with global fans and generate new revenue streams. Guided by FanOS principals, Bursa blends innovation with his passion for sports. As a former athlete, he is committed to advancing the sports industry as a whole.

Giuseppe Donato

Country Director – Italy

Kiron Interactive

Giuseppe Donato leads Kiron Interactive’s Italian operations, driving strategic growth in a key gaming market. As Country Manager, he oversees product positioning, commercial development, regulatory strategy and go-to-market planning, while managing compliance with ADM. With 15+ years in iGaming at WeAreCasino, Mr Green, Mybet and Wirex, he has launched platforms, integrated providers and expanded into regulated territories. Fluent in Italian and English, Giuseppe combines commercial insight with technical expertise to build trusted partnerships and deliver sustainable performance.

Christopher Wilson

Founder

Radom

Christopher Wilson is Founder of Radom.com, with a background in engineering and large-scale technology projects. Wilson bridges technical and regulatory discussions, from MiCA and compliance frameworks to stablecoins, virtual banking and alternative payment methods. He has also advised the UK Parliament on blockchain and financial innovation. Wilson has spoken at global industry events such as AVN Expo, Zebu Live and ETHDenver, sharing insights on how crypto and payments innovation are reshaping financial ecosystems.

Olesea Naidion

Brand Manager

Nightrush

Olesea Naidion is a marketing expert with over 12 years of experience, currently leading the brand strategy at Nightrush in the iGaming industry. Her career spans various sectors, with a focus on digital marketing, brand positioning, user acquisition and player retention. She specialises in developing creative and data driven marketing campaigns that strengthen brand presence, boost engagement and deliver measurable results. As Brand Manager at Nightrush, she leads brand strategy, ensuring it remains relevant and impactful.

Michael Cutajar

Founder & CEO

Accora

Michael Cutajar is the Founder and CEO of Accora, a tool that automates a businesses accounting. Before launching Accora, he led sales and later became CEO at Metaverse Architects, delivering projects for clients such as UBS, KPMG, Lazard, the European Banking Authority, and the MFSA. Earlier in his career, he worked at PwC, where he built a strong foundation in audit and financial operations.

Karen Jouve

Co-Founder & CEO

Doors3

Karen Jouve is an entrepreneur and innovation leader at the crossroads of Web3, AI and immersive technologies. She co-founded Doors3, launched Elevators3 and is building Beyond, an AI-powered travel business agent redefining premium business travel. A Navy reservist and athlete, she regularly speaks at top global stages and contributes to leading media. Based between France and Dubai, Karen is committed to empowering leaders and advancing women in tech worldwide.

Joe Lamb

Founder

Volume Communications

Joe Lamb has over 15 years' experience within the communications industry and held senior roles at some of the world’s most respected PR firms before deciding to start his own: Volume Communications. Volume Communications has quickly established itself as an independent agency that delivers big results for its gaming clients. Throughout his career, Joe has been passionate about delivering earned media at scale and that discipline sits as the core of Volume Communications client output.

Olga Resiga

CBDO

SOFTSWISS

Robert Zammit

Partner

WH Partners

Robert Zammit is a regulatory, licensing and litigation lawyer focused on the gaming and transport sectors. He advises on gambling licensing, compliance, data protection, IP and AML procedures. Robert also counsels clients on employment matters. A member of the Malta Chamber of Advocates and the International Masters of Gaming Law, he is recognised as a Next Generation Partner in Commerical, Corporate and M&A by Legal 500 EMEA.

Quirino Mancini

Group Strategic Advisor – Gambling, Media and Sport

WH Partners

Quirino Mancini is the global head of the gaming and gambling practice at Tonucci & Partners. Quirino is one of the leading Italian gaming and gambling lawyers with a specialist practice of more than 15 years. He acts for multiple Italian and foreign-based online and land-based companies operating in the Italian gaming market. Alongside his robust and long-established legal and regulatory practice, he runs a bespoke matchmaking and business strategy service.

Flaviano Fogli

Director

Fogli Consulting

Flaviano Fogli is a dynamic and visionary entrepreneur with a proven track record in the online gaming and technology sectors. In 2001, they co-founded a gaming company that rapidly grew into an international enterprise, employing over 150 professionals across multiple offices and countries. They were the first to introduce the innovative white-label product concept, fundamentally reshaping how gaming platforms were marketed and operated. Additionally, they spearheaded the launch of casino software that was first in the industry to be translated into both simplified Chinese and Arabic.

Kate Puteiko

CMO

BGaming

Kate Puteiko has about ten years of profound marketing experience. In 2020, she joined BGaming as a Product Marketing Manager. For two years, she has headed the Marketing department as Chief Marketing Manager. Now, Kate has a team of 20 marketing specialists with whom she successfully implements international marketing campaigns, raises brand awareness, and makes BGaming stand out from others.

Patrick Seguev

Founder

Andaria Financial Services & Intercash

"With over 20 years of experience pioneering the global financial sector and payment industry, he has founded several highly successful FinTech businesses. As an innovative serial entrepreneur in digital payments and FinTech services, he has developed strong expertise in electronic payments with a special focus on global B2B prepaid cards, as well as the complete Mastercard and Visa card-issuing systems and processes. As the Founder of both Intercash and Andaria, he is proud of the commitment and dedication put forth by the entire group, leading both businesses to become globally recognized experts in FinTech and payment technology solutions. He is passionate about empowering and motivating all colleagues and employees, supporting them to contribute and enjoy the successful business they helped build."

Bob Reid

Founder & CEO

Everest

Uliana Soroka

Team Lead & Talent Acquisition

RedCore

Uliana Soroka is a results driven Talent Acquisition Lead with extensive experience in building and scaling high performing recruitment teams. Skilled in developing and executing strategic hiring plans, optimising recruitment processes and using data driven insights to attract and retain top talent across multiple functions and industries. Proficient in full cycle recruitment, including workforce planning, sourcing, interviewing and onboarding. As a team leader, she focuses on mentoring and developing recruiters.

Lara Barbuto

Director of Compliance, Compliance Officer & MLRO (Malta)

OpenPayd

Lara Barbuto is the Director of Compliance at OpenPayd, where she leads regulatory strategy and compliance operations across multiple jurisdictions. With extensive experience in financial services, she specialises in anti-money laundering and regulatory compliance, helping businesses navigate complex regulatory landscapes while driving innovation in fintech. Lara’s diverse background spans insurance, payments, and iGaming, providing her with a well-rounded perspective on risk management and regulatory challenges across different sectors. At OpenPayd, she plays a pivotal role in strengthening compliance frameworks and leading key regulatory engagements to ensure robust compliance while supporting business growth.

Shirley Pulis Xerxen

Head of News

SiGMA Group

Gil Tal

Founder & CEO

PayConsult

Gil Tal is the Founder and CEO of PayConsult, bringing over a decade of expertise in payments and more than 8 years of experience in the iGaming industry. Throughout his career, Gil has worked with both platform providers and operators, giving him a unique perspective across the B2B and B2C landscapes. He has been directly involved in helping companies scale through turnkey and white-label solutions, guiding operators in navigating complex payment challenges, onboarding PSPs, and expanding into new regulated markets.

Stephen Aupy

Business Development Manager

Mindway AI

Giuseppe Volpe

Managing Partner

Cuiprodest

Cum laude graduate in Communication from Sapienza University of Rome, with a thesis on pressure groups. He brings extensive experience as a lobbyist in highly regulated sectors across Rome and Brussels. Former Italian Country Manager for Europe’s largest public affairs firm, he founded Cuiprodest | Excellence in Political Affairs in 2008, now Italy’s only company exclusively focused on lobbying services. He has served as a speaker, moderator, and judge at some of Europe’s leading gaming events, and teaches lobbying in several public and private Master’s programs. Since 2023, he has been a Professor at Sapienza University of Rome.

Alexander Belov

Forbes Journalist, Coinstelegram Media & Fund Founder

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Emilio Colombo

Expert IT

Real Estate and Infrastructure Director with over 15 years of experience, specialised in energy saving, direction of sustainable net zero constructions and management of complex projects. Has developed solid experience in financial institutions dedicated to the Real Estate industry, Non-Performing Loans and real estate securitisations, holding the role of Head of Real Estate. Additionally, has a decade of experience in the conception and management of innovative and strategic projects employing Big Data, digital identity and artificial intelligence for risk analysis. Graduated cum laude with an Executive MBA.

Mike Waizman

CMO

NGM Game

Mike Waizman is CMO of NGM Game, where he leads global marketing strategy and growth for one of iGaming's fastest growing providers. With 15 years in digital and product marketing, he has managed campaigns for global brands including LG, Nokia, Yandex and Kaspersky Lab, specialising in affiliate marketing, user acquisition and brand positioning. Recognised as a leading industry voice, Mike was ranked number 3 Top iGaming Voice on LinkedIn, where he has built a network of over 20,000 professionals.

Wojciech Trzaska

CCO

SB Software

Wojciech Trzaska is a former asset-manager turned iGaming brand-builder with 20 years’ sector insight. After steering portfolios containing William Hill and bwin, he shifted to operations and now heads strategic communications for sportsbook platform SB Software, championing a “entertainment-first” entertainment ethos. As founder of Vienna consultancy Spectacular, he crafts investor decks and trade-show narratives that win client attention in minutes for gaming and lottery innovators.

Dean Akinjobi

CEO

Footbal Media

Dean Akinjobi has been active in crypto since 2010 and is CEO of Football Media, a global digital advertising and sponsorship agency with a network generating over 41 million monthly unique visitors. The company helps brands engage global audiences through digital marketing across Web2 and Web3, secures sponsorships with football clubs and ambassadors, and provides marketing activation strategies for numerous crypto and blockchain-related brands.

Federico Smanio

CEO

Wylab

Federico Smanio is the CEO of Wylab, Italy’s first sports-tech incubator, and a former professional footballer. With over 25 years in professional sports and a decade advising startups, corporates, and institutions, he is an expert in innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship. A university lecturer and frequent speaker at national and international events, he has served since 2022 as Program Director of WeSportUp, the sports and wellness accelerator promoted by Sport e Salute and CDP.

Krzysztof Szyszkiewicz

Co-Founder & Partner

Valueships

Kris serves as a pricing and strategy expert in various industries. He is responsible for Valueships project delivery. Before Valueships, Krzysztof spent years at McKinsey & Company. He supported various companies in pricing, branding, and revenue growth management in multiple industries, mainly in software, e-commerce, banking, telecommunications, retail, and CPG industries. Kris is a Certified Pricing Practitioner (CPP). He completed multiple courses in strategic management in the world's most renowned institutions (MIT, Section4). Kris is a member of the Professional Pricing Society.

Vasilije Lekovic

VP Gaming

Trustly

Payments and fintech specialist with expertise in account-to-account (open banking) and carrier billing payments, user verification (KYC) and identity solutions across different industries (online gambling, social/video gaming, eCommerce) gained in various management and commercial roles. For the last 10 years, Vasilije has been leading the gaming commercial department of Trustly, the global leader in account-to-account payments, as well as various innovative product and business development initiatives, such as the successful rollout of Trustly's flagship Pay N Play product, AgeVerify, NameVerfiy, InBanner and others. Prior to Trustly, Vasilije was in different commercial and business development roles in the information security and telecommunications industries.

Liga Tarasova

Account Director

PRace

Liga Tarasova is an Account Director at PRace, a fast-growing, data-driven B2B marketing and PR agency. At PRace, they combine performance marketing, public relations, and creative strategy to deliver measurable impact for clients in the iGaming and tech sectors. They value building and nurturing strong business relationships, driving results, and ensuring the process is both productive and enjoyable.

Jaime Debono

CEO

iGaming Academy

Jamie Debono has over 11 years of experience in the gaming industry. In 2015, he co-founded iGaming Academy to deliver industry-specific and regulatory training for operators and suppliers. Now the largest training provider in the sector, it trains over 60,000 professionals annually. In April 2024, SiGMA Group acquired a majority stake in iGaming Academy, integrating education into its global events and expanding its reach across the industry.

Marcin Kumięga

Business Development Director

Voluum

Cosmina Maria Simion

Managing Partner

WH Simion & Partners

Cosmina Maria Simion is a corporate, regulatory, technology and intellectual property lawyer with more than 20 years of professional experience, with particular emphasis on the gambling, online, media and entertainment industries. She is a licensed European trademark attorney and a Romanian National Chamber of Intellectual Property Attorneys member. Noted as a "practice crafter" (IAM Patent 1000, 2024), Cosmina combines strong advisory expertise with a business oriented approach. She is the only Romanian lawyer ranked as Thought Leader in Sports and Gaming by Who's Who Legal.

Francesco Gatti

Founder & CEO

Bull Gaming

An engineer and founder of Bakoo SpA (now part of the LOTTOMATICA group), he began working in the gaming industry in 2002 with the first slot machines installed in Italy. Throughout his career, he has held various positions in major industry associations, currently serving as vice president of SAPAR, the largest Italian gaming association. Following the sale of Bakoo SpA, he founded Bull Gaming, now one of the top software development companies in Italy. He won the prestigious Imbucci Award from the University of Salerno in 2024.

Eugene Ravdin

Head of PR

SEOBROTHERS

Before joining SEOBROTHERS, spent 19 years with the UEFA official website in various roles, most notably as Editor in Chief of the Russian language editorial team. Worked on men's and women's UEFA EUROs, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League finals, interviewed notable figures including Arsène Wenger and Guus Hiddink, and built the UEFA Champions League community on VK from scratch to one million followers. Holds a degree in IT and has rich experience as a voice over artist.

Joe Hatch

VP Product

StatsDrone

Joe Hatch is VP Product at StatsDrone, where he leads product strategy and development for data tools in the affiliate marketing and iGaming sector. With more than a decade of experience in affiliation, he has worked across startups and publicly listed companies in roles ranging from Technical Product Owner to VP Product. His current focus is on advanced tracking, giving affiliates greater control of their data through solutions such as click level attribution, CRM integration and full funnel attribution.

Darran Ingretolli

Communications and Content

IGA Group

With a background in sales, VIP hospitality, marketing and business development across various industries, Darran brings well over a decade of experience in land based and online gaming. Darran speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish.

Andrew Gellatly

Executive Director

Alderney Gambling Control Commission

Andrew Gellatly is Executive Director of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC), a role he commenced in December 2022. The AGCC is a highly respected and bespoke Tier 1 supervisor of e-gambling businesses, securing an outstanding report in its 2024 MoneyVal mutual evaluation. Prior to joining the AGCC, Andrew co-founded the regulatory intelligence service VIXIO Gambling Compliance in 2006 and served as global managing editor. He has chaired and spoken at gambling conferences worldwide.

Martina Galea

Student

University of Malta

Martina began reading law at the University of Malta in 2023 and is now in her third year of studies. Her main areas of interest include gaming, criminal, company, and commercial law, while remaining open to opportunities in other areas. Martina is also a legal intern at an audit and tax firm, where she is exposed to company, employment, gaming, aviation, and maritime law. This experience provides her with valuable insight into how law operates in practice and strengthens her analytical and research skills. In 2025, Martina won the first edition of the SiGMA writing competition, organised in collaboration with Filletti & Filletti Advocates and the University of Malta, with her article ‘Beyond the Algorithm: Regulating AI Accountability in the Gaming Industry’. This achievement has deepened Martina’s interest in gaming law, and she looks forward to building on these experiences as she continues developing her academic and professional career.

Mikhail Zhukov

Head of CPM

Adsterra

Mikhail Zhukov is Head of CPM at Adsterra, a global advertising network delivering innovative solutions and partner focused growth. He specialises in strategic planning, market research, KPI setting, GEO testing and product development, combining operational expertise with a strong focus on client success. Starting his career as one of Adsterra's top account managers, Mikhail was instrumental in launching key features including the Social Bar format and Pricing Tokens for campaign optimisation. As a recognised industry expert, he regularly speaks at international conferences including SiGMA Europe and SiGMA Americas.

Lana Rossi

Founder & CEO

Conversion Club

Lana Rossi is the Founder and CEO of Conversion Club and Conversion Conf, a global event agency and conference series. She is an experienced affiliate marketing expert with over 10 years in the industry. Lana has successfully organised 50+ affiliate events across 13+ countries worldwide, bringing together top affiliate professionals, networks and brands from the performance marketing ecosystem.

Fabio Angeli Bufalini

Country Director

Stake Italy

Fabio Angeli Bufalini is the Country Director of Stake Italy, combining strong analytical skills with a hands-on attitude. With 20 years of marketing and growth experience, including 17 years in the digital iGaming sector, Fabio has led international online brand start-ups entering the Italian market, including PokerStars, PartyGaming, Betsson (StarCasino.it), and Everest Gaming, while reporting at board level and managing both budget and P&L responsibilities.

John Wright

Co-Founder & CEO

StatsDrone

John is the host of the Affiliate BI podcast and co-founder of StatsDrone. He's been in iGaming and affiliate marketing for over 2 decades and is building the next-gen tools for affiliate marketers.

Martin Zarian

Co-Founder

Factory 39

Martin Zarian is a full-stack brand builder, award-winning strategist and designer, recovering perfectionist, keynote speaker, podcast host… and a few other things he can’t even remember. He helps ambitious businesses in complex, saturated markets stand out, stay ahead and build brands that sell more…because a good product gets you in the game but a great brand is how you win it. As the co-founder of Factory 39, Martin has worked with global names like FIFA, eBay, Dr. Oetker, BT, Muskita, BBF, HFM and Sharp, as well as scale-ups across Tech, Finance, and SaaS. His motto? Stop hiding. Start branding. Oh, and he likes pickle juice."

Mariia Grinko

HR Team Lead

Private inc.

Mariia is the HR Team Lead at Private inc., one of the largest media buying holdings in the CIS. Mariia and her team are known for their skills in attracting top talent in a short timeframe, as well as their ability to develop effective strategies for employee retention. Mariia is recognized for her technical approach to hiring and her deep understanding of the industry. Every HR professional should be able to independently and accurately assess candidates—this is Mariia's core principle!

Florin Simovici

CEO

Traffic Manager Group

Florin Simovici is the Co-Founder & CEO of TrafficManager, an affiliate tracking and management platform used by hundreds of advertisers and networks worldwide. He entered online marketing in 2010, built his first affiliate network in 2014, and later sold it to focus fully on TrafficManager. Today, the platform supports industries like eCommerce, COD (Cash on Delivery), Sweepstakes, iGaming, Nutra, Beauty, Leadgen, Membership sites and more. TrafficManager is proudly powering most COD affiliate programs in Italy and expanding across Europe and the iGaming space. Florin is also a frequent industry speaker at events such as Sigma, Affiliate World, TES Conferences, AW Summit, Affiliate Grand Slam, Internext, and Affiliate Expo, and author of “How to Build and Manage an Affiliate Program or Affiliate Network” (2024).

Laia Mena

Co-Founder & Director

Caliu

Laia Mena was born in Barcelona and holds a Communication degree in Journalism, Advertising, Public Relations and Audiovisuals, plus a master's in Advertising Strategy and Creativity. With 20 years of experience providing payments to the gaming sector, she is Co-founder and Director of Caliu, a consultancy firm founded in 2023 providing strategic payment solutions to operators and optimising products for fintech companies. She is also Co-founder of La Mecánica, a payment gateway with 200 plus payment solutions.

Nikolay Georgiev

Audit & Regulations Director

EGT Digital

Nikolay Georgiev is an experienced and results driven compliance professional with over 10 years of progressive leadership in the gambling industry, including roles as Senior Manager, Director and Head of Compliance. He has a proven track record in regulatory compliance, risk management, AML/CTF, licensing and responsible gambling across multiple jurisdictions in the EU and US. Adept at building and leading high performing compliance teams, navigating complex regulatory landscapes and fostering strong relationships with regulators and stakeholders.

Dario Evangelista

Deputy General Counsel

Betsson Group

Dario Evangelista graduated with highest honours in Law from the University of Rome and earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Professions. With experience as an attorney and in-house counsel specialising in iGaming, he has held countless leadership roles and currently serves as Deputy General Counsel at Betsson Group.

Charles Herisson

International Investor

Charles Herisson Ltd

Charles Herisson, an international investor, is driven by a passion for sports and crypto. His diverse portfolio spans multiple sectors. As a philanthropist and successful serial entrepreneur, he specialises in startups and has mentored numerous people and companies worldwide. His commitment to creating meaningful impact is evident in his collaborative efforts with governments and institutions. As an accomplished author, he has written two books on cooperation, notably "From Local Competition to Global Collaboration," featuring a foreword by former President of the European Union, Romano Prodi.

Emilio Takas

Head of SEO

Gentoo Media

Formerly a Visual Storytelling multifaceted digital creative, with a strong technical background on websites, design, digital marketing and analytics helping people achieving the most out of their online appearance for over 21 years, Emilio is currently Head of SEO (Sports) at Gentoo Media, which you might remember by its former name, GiG Media, the affiliate media division of GiG (Gaming Innovation Group). He is also a visiting lecturer at Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) teaching SEO and Marketing Analytics, a seasoned speaker and a judge to SEO and iGaming Conferences and Awards.

Andrew Sudakov

CEO

Rocks.Partners

Prof. Stefano Filletti

Head of Department of Criminal Law

University of Malta

Prof. Stefano Filletti, is the Head of Department and resident lecturer in Criminal Law at the University of Malta. He also heads the Maltese delegation to the Council of Europe in the European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC) and has been elected to the Bureau of the CPDC. Prof. Filletti has made several contributions in various journals and books in Malta and abroad and is the Managing Partner of Filletti & Filletti Advocates.

Mike de Graaff

Co-Founder & Chief Compliance Officer

BetComply

Mike is Co-Founder and Chief Compliance Officer at BetComply, driving innovative compliance solutions for iGaming operators worldwide. Before acting as consultant, he held senior roles at Betclic and ComeOn, where he led teams through licensing, risk management and regulatory audits across multiple jurisdictions. Known for his integrity and expertise, Mike is a respected consultant, speaker and leader in the global compliance space.

Luigi Caputo

CEO

Behaveme

Luigi Caputo is the CEO of Behaveme – platform that predicts best candidates during recruiting processes with gaming simulations and AI that test people's skills. He's also President of Osservatorio Italiano Esports & Gaming and ex Country Project Manager for Coca-Cola Italy.

Simon Barff

Managing Director

CLMS

Simon brings nearly four decades of experience in the industry, with the last 20 in C-level positions. He began his career in 1986 at a small operating company in Leeds and has since held roles across sales, manufacturing and support services. His career has included time at some of the largest gaming organisations globally, including The Rank Group, Cirsa SA, SEGA, TCS, Blueprint and the Gauselmann Group, before taking on his current role as Managing Director at CLMS.

Fivos Polymniou

Founder & Director

ASK Global Solutions

Fivos Polymniou is a seasoned gaming and payments executive, entrepreneur and industry leader. He currently serves as Director of ASK Global Solutions Ltd, a company he founded in 2017 to introduce innovative cash handling and contactless payment kiosks into the UK gaming market. Over more than two decades, Fivos has held senior roles at major gaming companies, including IGT (formerly GTECH/Atronic), FutureLogic and Bally Gaming Technologies, building deep expertise in gaming systems and payments.

Karolis Dula

Head of Payments

Alea

Karolis Dula leads payments at Alea, where he built and scaled Alea Pay from the ground up. Launched in 2025, Alea Pay was designed to solve a problem Karolis understood firsthand: payments in iGaming are fragmented, complex and often unreliable. Under his leadership, Alea Pay has grown globally, bringing tailored payment methods, exclusive provider partnerships and bank grade API security to operators in challenging markets. Before Alea, Karolis spent over five years in fintech at Genome and Mistertango, focusing on international payments for high risk merchants.

Dieter Braekeveld

Intelligence & Investigations Manager

International Olympic Committee

Dieter serves as Intelligence and Investigations Manager within the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions. In this capacity, he oversees the collection and analysis of information and data, conducts risk assessments and leads investigations into cases of competition manipulation. Before joining the IOC, Dieter contributed to sports integrity efforts at INTERPOL, the International Police Cooperation Organisation. A Belgian national, he brings over a decade of experience in the international sports integrity environment.

Tatiana Botskina

CEO

Deriskly

Tatiana Botskina is a serial founder, AI researcher and CEO of Deriskly, an award winning UK based company transforming customer insights into strategic opportunities. With a background as a banking lawyer and a doctoral researcher in Explainable AI at the University of Oxford, Tatiana combines expertise in AI, governance and data driven strategy. Her work focuses on building responsible AI systems that help financial and enterprise teams translate complex customer data into clear, evidence based strategies that drive growth and trust.

Mark Berkovich

CEO

Kea

Mark Berkovich, CEO of Kea, is an architect of tomorrow's financial landscape. He spearheads Kea, a group of licensed entities powering global finance with one KYB across banking, stablecoins, and crypto, supported by a custom core banking system, and a human-touch approach. A recognised authority in banking, fintech, neobanks, and the payments industry, Mark's insights into stablecoins and the broader crypto ecosystem make him a sought-after speaker on global panels.

Georgi Stoianov

COO

LaPayo

Alastair Cleland

Group Managing Director

Pentasia

Alastair is Group Managing Director of Conexus Human Capital, encompassing Pentasia, PaymentGenes, Conexus Leadership and Conexus Enterprise, global leaders in delivering talent solutions across the iGaming, Web3/Crypto, Lottery and Payments industries. With more than 30 years of recruitment experience, including more than a decade dedicated to iGaming and Payments, Alastair is widely regarded as a leading figure in global talent strategy and executive search. He leads a global network of recruitment and search professionals, supporting clients and candidates across fast evolving digital markets.

Julian Goffin

Co-Founder & CEO

Alunafi

Julian Goffin is a commercially minded C-level payments expert at Alunafi, with over 10 years experience in the payments industry. His expertise includes business development (B2B and B2C), solution oriented sales, high-risk markets, correspondent banking, SEPA and SWIFT payments and strategic collaborations. He has built multiple companies to multimillion- pound revenues.

Mex Emini

Managing Director

SiGMA Play

Simon Planzer

Partner

Planzer Law

Dr Simon Planzer is founding partner at PLANZER LAW AG, which features internationally recognised legal specialisation in technology, gaming and entertainment. The firm's team provides highly specialised services on all gaming matters relating to Switzerland and EU/EEA. Dr Planzer wrote his PhD on EU/EEA gaming regulation and has published extensively on gaming matters. He serves as regular speaker at leading industry conferences and has been invited repeatedly by both the IAGR and the GREF to present to regulators.

Daniele Raimondi

Counsel

Eversheds-Sutherland Italy

Daniele Raimondi is a Chartered Accountant and Certified Auditor with over 20 years of professional experience in tax, accounting, and corporate advisory services. He currently serves as Counsel at Eversheds-Sutherland Accounting and Law Firm in Milan, where he provides tax and accounting assistance to EU and extra-EU companies. Daniele has developed strong expertise in ordinary and extraordinary tax compliance, financial and tax due diligence, sustainability reports, company valuations, international arbitration and as an expert witness.

Farzad Peyman

CEO

AQSE NYCE

Farzad has 18 years’ operational iGaming experience in B2B and B2C across both publicly listed and private gaming companies. He is a leader of significant business change, and regularly advises on product development, marketing, technology, M&A, corporate restructuring, regulation & licensing, compliance and financial control. Ex-CEO and CFO of Matchbook Betting Exchange, today Farzad is the CEO of NYCE International and Partner at Virya Group, a sales Advisory firm and gaming venture studio respectively, investing in the most promising and sustainable projects across iGaming, Web3, Metaverse, Blockchain and AI technologies.

Clinton Cutajar

CTO

MediaTroopers

Clinton is a seasoned technology expert with extensive experience in information technology, affiliate marketing and leadership. For the past six years, Clinton has served as a C-level executive at two affiliate marketing firms, where, as Chief Technology Officer, he was instrumental in defining the company's technological direction and strategy. With over 25 years in the tech industry and more than a decade in affiliate marketing, Clinton has a proven track record of leading successful technology projects and fostering innovation.

Vitaly Balakhonov

Brand Growth Engineer

GEARRRR.Agency

Vitaly Balakhonov, founder and Brand Growth Engineer at GEARRRR.Agency, is a multi disciplinary brand strategist bridging visual, marketing and business crafts. He has orchestrated award winning, industry focused brand activations across major global iGaming shows, including SiGMA, ICE and G2E. Currently, he leads the agency pioneering unconventional growth channels such as organic TikTok, helping iGaming brands command attention and capture markets. He also provides creative advisory for iGaming brands and events.

Niccolò Caramatti

Founder & CEO

Giochiamo.ai

Niccolò Caramatti began his career in financial markets after graduating from Bocconi University, working across New York, Milan and London. In 2009, he entered the online gaming industry, and in 2015, he introduced Daily Fantasy Sports to the Italian market, pioneering the data driven betting segment. As founder of Fantasy Gaming, he launched and grew Sportitaliabet.it and Fantasyteam.it. Today, Niccolò leads projects that merge technology, behavioural science and ethics to redefine the relationship between players and gaming platforms through Giochiamo.ai.

Jessica Maier

Co-Founder & Director

EGARA – Executive Gaming and Risk Advisory

Jessica Maier is an internationally recognised advisor in the global gaming industry, trusted by operators, suppliers, investors, and policymakers for her expertise in regulation, licensing, risk, and compliance. As the Co-Founder of EGARA – Executive Gaming and Risk Advisory, she helps clients use compliance as a driver of growth, transform regulatory complexity into competitive advantage, and approach risk as a source of strategic opportunity. Her career includes executive leadership roles as Chief Risk Officer, Head of Legal & Compliance, and Head of Government Affairs at leading gaming software companies, as well as Partner at a specialist gaming law firm. She has managed multiple international B2C and B2B licensing projects, advised on major M&A transactions, and strengthened governance frameworks to support long-term success. Jessica serves on the Board of Trustees of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) and co-chairs its EMEA Engagement Committee. She is widely respected for her pragmatic approach and her ability to build constructive relationships with regulators and industry stakeholders worldwide.

Claudia Ionescu

People & Organization Strategic Advisor

Claudia Ionescu is an international HR leader with more than 20 years of experience across the tech and fintech industries, driving large scale organisational transformations in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Her focus lies in building purpose driven organisational cultures and developing agile, resilient teams. Claudia has held senior HR leadership roles at companies such as PayU (Naspers), SumUp and AVIV Group, where she shaped global people strategies, led mergers and acquisitions and guided complex organisational transformation in fast paced environments.

Raymond Ratti

Partnerships Director

Swiftshore

Raymond is currently Partnerships Director at Swiftshore, a global sports and media company building on chain brand value through partnerships, sponsorships and fan tokens. Previously, Raymond worked at iTeller PTYD, a fintech crypto exchange company focused on OTC services and crypto ATMs.

Karsten Kasteleiner

Head of Public Policy

Tipico

Karsten Kasteleiner is Tipico's Head of Public Policy, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in sports betting, compliance and regulation. He began his career as a horseracing bookmaker at Quotenhaus GmbH before joining Tipico in 2016, where he led Retail Shop Compliance and oversaw licensing, regulatory processes and audits. Since 2025, Karsten has been driving Tipico's public policy strategy, advocating in regulatory discussions and contributing expert insights to shape the future of the gambling industry.

Christian Heins

Director iGaming

Tipico

Christian Heins is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in gaming, gambling and digital media. As Director iGaming at Tipico Games, he led the company's transition to German licensing, achieved 300 per cent market share growth and positioned Tipico as Germany's number one online casino household brand. Heins is also founder of the German Gambling Gathering and initiator of the Code of Conduct, frameworks designed to strengthen transparency and self regulation in the regulated gambling market.

Aarti Carl

VP of HR

Eeze

Aarti Carl is Vice President of Human Resources at Eeze, with over 18 years of experience spanning the land based casino, online gaming and iGaming sectors. A seasoned HR leader, Aarti has built and led high performing, cross functional teams across multiple global jurisdictions, helping organisations scale whilst maintaining strong, people first cultures in highly regulated and competitive environments. At Eeze, Aarti leads HR strategy across multiple regions, partnering with executive leadership to foster inclusive, high impact workplaces that support both operational excellence and long term growth.

Emilio Zamparelli

Chairman

STS – FIT

Since 2022, Emilio Zamparelli has served as National President of the Totoricevitori Sportivi Union. From 2018 to 2022, he held the position of National Vice President of the same Union, and since 2014 he has also been a member of the National Executive Committee. He has been the President of the Benevento Provincial Office (Naples Delegation) of the Italian Federation of Tobacconists continuously since 2012 and has participated as a speaker in numerous conferences dedicated to public gaming in Italy.

Melvin Ritsema

Co-Founder & CEO

Xcite Ventures

Melvin has been in the industry for almost 17 years, starting his journey as an affiliate in Gibraltar. He was an integral part of successfully building and growing online casino and sportsbook operator Royal Panda from their startup days, which eventually sold to LeoVegas Group in 2017. During his time with Royal Panda, he actively ran crucial aspects of the business, from casino and sportsbook to CRM, marketing and compliance. After the acquisition, Melvin was made Managing Director of Royal Panda. He is currently CEO and co-founder of Xcite Ventures Ltd.

Ricardo Rosada

CoCEO & Board Member

BandBet

Ricardo Rosada has over 20 years of expertise in strategy, marketing and regulation for the global gambling and iGaming industry. In Brazil, he has been directly involved in market entry, branding and acquisition strategies for leading operators. He contributes insights on regulation, player behaviour, marketing innovation, AI and payment ecosystems.

Austeja Lazaraviciute

Investor

COINVEST Capital

Austeja Lazaraviciute from Coinvest Capital, a sovereign evergreen VC fund uniquely structured for a generous profit-sharing for co-investors. She focuses on early-stage startups and data-driven investment strategies, bridging the Baltic and Southern European innovation ecosystems.

Roger Grossenbacher

CFO

CrowdSports

Roger Grossenbacher is an experienced finance executive and entrepreneur with a strong background in fintech and digital growth. Before joining CrowdSports, he served as CRO at BW2, one of Switzerland's leading casino software providers, and worked in banking and private equity with UBS, Credit Suisse and Schroders. At CrowdSports, Roger serves as CFO and Chairman, driving global strategy and growth. CrowdSports provides an innovative fan engagement and club financing platform that enables supporters to participate in their clubs' success.

Ana Kandelaki

Business Development Manager

Altente

Ana Kandelaki is Business Development Manager at Altente, overseeing a wide spectrum of responsibilities that drive the growth and success of the company, from sales and marketing to CRM, events and organisational strategy. With a professional background spanning International Relations, Communications, Business Development and Project Management, she brings a strategic, cross functional approach to every project. Passionate about fostering relationships, driving innovation and creating seamless experiences for clients and partners alike, Ana aims to contribute to the evolution of the iGaming industry.

Olha Maksymova

Founder & CEO

HolyTraff

Olha Maksymova is Founder and CEO of HolyTraff Media and Co-Founder of PRO MAM. In 2023, she launched HolyTraff Media, an independent iGaming and digital industry hub that now partners with over 50 companies and has produced 77 YouTube episodes. The project was named Best YouTube Channel 2024 by an independent Ukrainian iGaming media outlet. In 2024, Olha expanded with HolyTraff Market, providing apps, accounts, landing pages and creatives while leading major affiliate programme rebrands.

Nestor Vazquez

Founder

igamingseoconsulting.com

Meet Nestor Vazquez, a Mexico-based iGaming SEO strategist with a passion for turning clicks into jackpots. With years of experience in online casinos, sportsbooks, and gaming platforms, he combines data-driven insights with engaging storytelling to keep players interested and elevate brand rankings. Whether he's optimising a new slot site, scaling a sportsbook, or breaking into emerging markets, Nestor plays the long game because in SEO, just like in gaming, the house always wins when the strategy is smart.

Luís Portela de Carvalho

Partner

Lektou

Luís began his legal career in 2016 and specialises in gambling, advertising, commercial law, technology and intellectual property. He is admitted to practise in Portugal and currently leads Lektou's Porto office. His practice focuses on gaming, media and entertainment law, advising clients on complex cross border mandates. Before joining Lektou as Partner in 2024, Luís served as Head of Legal at Clever Advertising. A member of IMGL and IAGA, Luís frequently speaks at international conferences as a gambling industry expert.

Paola Cirilli

Partner & Head of the Policy Analysis and Research Center

Cuiprodest

Partner and Head of the Policy Analysis and Research Center areas at Cuiprodest, Paola Cirilli is a professional with solid experience in evaluating public policies at both national and European levels. She has developed an academic and professional background dedicated to the evaluation methodologies of European Union policies, gaining significant experience in Brussels at the European Commission’s DG Research. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with Italian and European research institutes, becoming a consultant for the evaluation of reforms, public policies, and the performance of public administration. She is recognized as an expert in research methodology, a field in which she has contributed numerous publications for the European Commission. At Cuiprodest, she focuses particularly on analyzing the impact of proposed regulations on business models and on regulatory affairs with the Ministry of Health, as well as coordinating the activities of the Research Center. Since 2023, she has been a lecturer at Sapienza University of Rome.

Eugene Bredenkamp

Performance Janitor

Black Labz

Eugene is currently Performance Janitor at Black Labz. He has spent the last 15 years leading data driven marketing in iGaming, crypto, SaaS and eCommerce, always with the same focus: building scalable systems that make marketing measurable and efficient. Most recently, he has been focused on automation, making sure processes like affiliate onboarding connect seamlessly to tracking, compliance and CRM. He has worked across different products, from crypto casinos to health tech, which gives him a wider toolbox.

Stefan Muehlbauer (AffPal)

Head of Program

Masters in Cash

Stefan 'Affpal' Muehlbauer is a leading Affiliate Management expert and 2024 Affiliate World Forum Awards winner for best affiliate manager. He is Author of 'The Affiliate Management Starter Kit' and host of 'Affiliate Manager Academy.' With Affpal consultancy, he offers services programmes and networks need to excel in their vertical. He also serves as Director of the advertiser Masters in Cash.

Nick Levenstein

Managing Director

Nicholas Levenstein & Company

Nicholas Levenstein runs a hedge fund that specialises in derivative strategies. With a track record of outperforming major indexes (70% per annum over five and a half years), he shares practical insights on creating value from the investor’s point of view. Nicholas has a BA, from Yale University and MBA from University of California, Los Angeles. With over 30 years of experience he has a wide range of industry knowledge to share.

Pascal Haider

CEO

Cheeer

Pascal Haider is an accomplished entrepreneur, visionary strategist and leader with a deep passion for innovation, people and creating outstanding value. A world traveller and father of four, he holds master's degrees in Business Administration and International Management. Originally from Austria, Pascal's career began in asset management before transitioning into key leadership roles in global tech and marketing firms. He currently leads a sportstech and global marketing agency serving Fortune 500 companies worldwide. His expertise lies in developing bold concepts that drive business success and foster meaningful connections.

Alex Bobes

Managing Partner

Extremoo

Alex Bobes is Managing Partner at Extremoo, a results driven affiliate marketing company focused on the iGaming sector, and Chief Technology Officer at Casino Alpha, one of the top casino review sites with over 900 casinos assessed. With more than 10 years as a CTO and technology leader, Alex transforms complex technical challenges into practical business solutions. His expertise spans AI implementation, blockchain development, cybersecurity and modern software architecture. Beyond corporate achievements, Alex serves as President of Asociatia Taxi Gratis, an NGO he founded in 2013.

Samir Ceric

Managing Partner

SportingThinking

Samir Ceric is a globally recognised entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist and visionary, working at the intersection of sports, technology, and finance. A former elite athlete and football club chairman, his unique background gives him a practical understanding of sports dynamics and a passion for integrating cutting-edge technology. He has been a pioneering figure in the digitalization of the sports industry, from enhancing fan engagement through blockchain and AI to driving sustainability with climate tech solutions. Ceric’s latest venture is a pioneering investment platform dedicated to acquiring and transforming sports teams globally in a unique and impact driven way. He is a chairman of a seventh-generation, values-driven family office embodying a deep commitment to trust, growth, and innovation.

Thamillin Valery Klen

Founder & CEO

TP Marketing BR

Thamillin Valery Klen is a visionary executive and international speaker with a solid career in iGaming, digital marketing and innovation. Known for her strategic leadership and ability to build global connections, she has become a reference in international expansion and brand positioning within the competitive digital entertainment industry. She is CEO and founder of Maior Apostas, a leading affiliate guide and educational platform for sports betting and online casinos in Brazil and Portugal. In parallel, she founded TP Marketing BR, a digital marketing agency focused on end to end marketing solutions.

Jeremiah Maangi

CEO

iGaming AFRIKA

Jeremiah Maangi is an outstanding figure in the African b2b and b2c Gaming ecosystem. He is driven by the desire to alleviate the continent's high rate of unemployment by championing the 'Invest in Africa' agenda. An ardent crypto enthusiast campaigning for change in the African Fintech world through the adoption of cryptocurrencies as a means of exchange and payment throughout the continent. Jeremiah is also a marketing and investment professional with extensive experience in advertising, marketing, and startup consulting for African gambling businesses. He is the current CEO of igasummit.com, igamingafrika.com and Founding Director of iGaming Consult Africa and AfriAdz Affiliates.

Barb Tasci

Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer

Revpanda

Luca Giancola

Payments & Operations Director

Lucky7 Ventures – Superbet Group

Luca Giancola is a seasoned professional in the digital payments industry, with extensive experience in the iGaming and high-risk sectors. Over the past decade, he has led strategic initiatives aimed at optimising payment performance, expanding local payment capabilities, and achieving greater operational efficiency. Luca has developed deep expertise in managing complex payment ecosystems and fostering innovation through technology-driven solutions. He is committed to advancing digital payments by promoting reliability, scalability and compliance within high-demand environments.

Jillian Dingwall

Senior News Writer

SiGMA Group

Cordelia Morgan Cooper

Founder

CMC Consulting

Passionate about employee wellbeing, transformation and people, Cordelia Morgan Cooper has over 10 years of talent management experience in recruitment, both agency and in-house, including international work in Malta. Having founded CMC Consulting in March 2022, she has successfully hired across Tech, Finance, Marketing, Sales and Executive roles globally.

Filip Jelavic

Secretary General

Croatian Gaming Association (CGA)

Christopher Grech Bonett

Owner & Founder

R77

Christopher Grech Bonett is an HR strategist with 15 years’ experience helping companies plan their workforce globally. He has guided organisations through growth, transformation and complex international talent challenges, aligning people and business goals. In recent years, he founded his own business offering an integrated ecosystem of HR and advisory services, providing companies with the tools, partnerships and strategies needed to thrive and adapt in today’s fast-changing, competitive environment.

Alena Tsuranova

CCO

Megafair

Alena Tsuranova is a strategic commercial leader with solid expertise in the iGaming industry, driving business growth through innovation, partnerships, and data-driven decision-making. As CCO, she leads commercial operations, sales strategy, and market development across multiple jurisdictions. Her experience covers both RNG and skill-based gaming verticals, with a focus on content strategy, localisation, and emerging gaming trends. Alena is passionate about building bridges between technology and business – shaping commercial strategies that align creativity with measurable results.

Anna Maria Baccaro

Sports Journalist & Content Creator

Anna Maria Baccaro is a sports journalist with a passion for football and storytelling. She has built her career on the belief that communication is not just a profession, but a way to connect people, ideas, and emotions. Her journey began with a love for sports journalism, which soon evolved into exploring the intersection between football, media, and the betting industry. Today, Anna Maria brings a fresh and dynamic perspective, combining her journalistic background with innovative content strategies.

Luke Todd

CEO, Executive Coach & Trainer

MadeYou

Luke Todd, Founder and CEO of MadeYou since 2014, leads growth in executive coaching, leadership training, employer branding and feedback services across Europe. A Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with 25+ years' experience, Luke combines operational knowledge to create practical, engaging learning experiences.

Charmagne Garcia-Laconico

Founder & Executive Director

ProAdvantage Consulting HR and Training

Charmagne Garcia-Laconico is a distinguished HR and Training Executive whose career bridges communications, human resources and education. A Behavioural Science graduate with an MBA and certification from the Human Resource Development Authority, she brings over two decades of international experience designing and implementing people strategies and training programmes across Southeast Asia, North America and Europe. Renowned for her expertise in leadership development, corporate culture transformation and professional branding, she creates bespoke training solutions that foster excellence, confidence and cohesive workplace identity.

Tim Dobbing

Director

HWF Partners

Tim Dobbing is a Director in the Tax Insurance team at HWF. Tim has experience in providing tax insurance solutions for a wide variety of institutional, individual, and corporate clients, and has worked on a significant number of complex, multi-jurisdictional and high value placements since joining HWF.

Sarah Hamlet

Investigator

International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)

Sarah Hamlet joined the ITIA in October 2016, having completed a 30-year career in the Metropolitan Police Service in London. As an experienced investigator she leads investigations into breaches of both the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme and Tennis Anti-Doping Programme and has been involved in some of the ITIA’s most high profile and complex cases. Sarah regularly gives evidence in ITIA hearings as well as being called as a witness at cases before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

Nikolay Lobov

CEO

Nobles Gaming

Nikolay Lobov is an experienced iGaming professional with a strong background in product strategy, operations, and compliance. Over the past decade, he has helped leading operators and tech providers launch scalable platforms, enhance player engagement, and meet complex licensing and certification requirements across global markets. Passionate about innovation and responsible gaming, Nikolay has led projects in AI-driven personalisation, gamification, and data-based decision making.

Kamaru Usman

UFC Welterweight Champion

Kamarudeen "Kamaru" Usman is one of the most recognisable fighters of our time. His nickname, The Nigerian Nightmare, was earned for a reason. He made history in the UFC as the welterweight champion, holding the title from 2019 to 2022. His record-breaking win streak — 15 consecutive victories in the division — included successful title defences against some of the toughest opponents. He is also known as one of the most disciplined and strategically-minded athletes in the world of mixed martial arts. The choice of Kamaru Usman as an ambassador for MelBet Partners is both strategic and symbolic. It reflects the values the company promotes in working with its partners: strength, discipline, strategy, and leadership.

Karolina Pelc

Founder

BeyondPlay

Karolina Pelc has spent over two decades navigating the male-dominated world of real-money gaming, building a career that spans from dealing cards in brick-and-mortar and cruise ship casinos to leading some of the industry’s most influential companies. She held senior leadership roles at Betsson Group, William Hill Online, and LeoVegas (MGM), and later served as a board director for the Nasdaq-listed Gaming Innovation Group. In 2021, Karolina founded BeyondPlay, an engagement SaaS start-up, raising over €7M in angel and VC funding and guiding it through one of the fastest exits in the sector with its 2024 acquisition by FanDuel, the #1 gaming brand in the US. She then served as Vice President at FanDuel, steering product integration and expansion. Alongside her executive career, Karolina advises VC firms, founders, and M&A transactions, while mentoring and investing in early-stage entrepreneurs through her platform, HerPlay. Her debut book Her Play, launched in a limited gifting edition on Necker Island in 2025, chronicles her journey from casino floors to startup boardrooms, with a commercial release planned for Spring 2026. Named a LinkedIn Top Startup Voice and one of iGaming’s Top 10 Most Influential Women, Karolina continues to speak globally, blending storytelling with actionable insights to inspire bold reinvention.

Manuel Atzler

Director New Business

Sport1 GmbH

Manuel Atzler has been part of the SPORT1 team for over eleven years. With more than 25 years of professional experience in leading sports agencies and media companies, he has in-depth expertise in the areas of sports marketing, advertising and sponsorship. As Director New Business, he is responsible for strategic partnerships and corporate investments – he is currently in charge of twelve start-up investments of Sport1 GmbH.

Harmen Brenninkmeijer

Executive Chairman

NYCE International

Harmen Brenninkmeijer has a 30+ year track record in developing, manufacturing, and distributing technology products in the gaming industry. His expertise derives from selling and operating in over 75 countries with an emphasis on emerging markets. His extensive experience across the gaming industry has given him a wealth of knowledge, proving invaluable in business and enabling him to regularly contribute to panels on a wide variety of subjects. Harmen founded the Gaming Incubator in 2007 and has invested in the development of over 20+ technology focused companies. Today he is building NYCE International to represent industry-leading companies, connecting them across the globe with operators, and developing unique ventures along the way.

Martha Brincat

Head – Compliance & Player Protection

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)

Nick Moutter

CEO

Lift

Ray Lee

Director of Business Development

TaDa Gaming

Ray Lee is the Director of Business Development at TaDa Gaming Ltd., a rising star game provider in the global iGaming industry. He manages partnerships with operators, aggregators, and platform providers worldwide, driving the company’s growth and international expansion.

Chaim Heber

Founder & CEO

Cevro AI

Cevro AI is an AI-native customer experience platform built specifically for the iGaming industry. He leads the company’s vision to create empathic, compliance-aware AI agents that connect operators and players at scale, turning support from a cost center into a growth engine. With a background spanning product, engineering, and commercial strategy, under his leadership, Cevro has secured funding, onboarded leading iGaming operators, and positioned itself as the first AI-native platform designed for regulated iGaming environments. Chaim’s philosophy is simple: humans respond, Cevro connects. He champions a culture of velocity, creativity, and empathy, building not just technology, but relationships that drive sustainable impact across the gaming ecosystem

Dr Theodoros Christodoulou

Co-Founder & CEO

Lab4crypto

Dr. Theodoros Christodoulou created Lab4Crypto, a quantitative analytics platform designed to empower professional and retail investors, as well as institutions, to make informed decisions in the crypto market. In less than a year, Lab4Crypto has grown to a thriving community of over 100,000 followers. A former nuclear physicist who transitioned from academia to pursue crypto full-time, Dr. Theodoros leverages his expertise to develop unique models and quantitative strategies for the crypto market. He is deeply passionate about the future of crypto and is committed to helping others navigate its complexities.

Giovanni Bertoli

Co-Founder & CEO

Wall Street Football Odds

Giovanni Bertoli is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WSF Odds, the leading BTB provider of live player props and other innovative stats related betting markets. Giovanni is also the Chairman of Chiamarsi Bomber, an Italian Media Company with a community of 5+ Millions football fans and a technical Co-Founder of Black Duck, UK fund that invests in football clubs and uses artificial intelligence to improve performance on the pitch and innovate club management off the pitch.

Jochen Biewer

Managing Director

Chevron Group

Jochen Biewer founded Chevron Consultants in 2000, supporting regulated market applications. The company grew into Chevron Group, a leading provider of compliance consulting, outsourcing, training and audits across multiple jurisdictions, with offices in Frankfurt, Sliema, Milan and Barcelona. Jochen also co-founded MGT, delivering regulatory API orchestration and monitoring. He frequently speaks at global conferences and holds board positions in several industry associations.

Mara di Lecce

Communication & Marketing Director

NOVOMATIC Italy

Mara Di Lecce is the Communication & Marketing Director of NOVOMATIC Italia Group. Before joining NOVOMATIC Italia, she gained over 15 years of experience as a journalist specialising in sports and betting, collaborating with leading industry publications and deepening her understanding of the gaming market dynamics. Mara joined NOVOMATIC Italia as Head of Media Relations and has since taken on roles of increasing responsibility, now leading the company’s communication and marketing department.

Riccardo Vecchi Lari

Project Manager

Nomisma

Riccardo Vecchi Lari is a Project Manager at Nomisma, an economic research and consulting firm from Bologna, Italy. He conducts research and analysis across the Industry, Retail and Services markets, working with companies, trade associations, and public institutions on studies of different economic sectors and consumer behaviour. With an economics background, he focuses on interpreting the trends that shape market competitiveness and development, with a particular emphasis on the economic and social sustainability of business activities.

Kyrylo Korobka

Executive Director

Ready to Fight

Kyrylo Korobka serves as Executive Director of Ready to Fight and Oleksandr Usyk’s team, leading partnerships, creative strategy, and business development for some of the most high-impact events in modern boxing. Kyrylo has overseen the full-cycle execution of Usyk–Dubois (Poland & Wembley), Usyk–Fury I, and Usyk–Fury II, managing sponsorship acquisition, storytelling, undercard matchmaking, media operations, and international marketing rollouts. Kyrylo’s mission is to connect sport, culture, and business through ideas that scale, stories that matter, and partnerships that leave legacy.

Francesco Maddalena

Founder & CEO

Hub Affiliations

Francesco Maddalena is the Founder and CEO of Hub Affiliations, an international affiliate network shaping the future of iGaming through technology, content, and innovation. With a strong focus on responsible growth and new digital models, he leads Hub in connecting operators, affiliates, and creators across the world. Passionate about building ecosystems that last, Francesco believes that the next big challenge is not only scaling the industry, but transforming it.

Bruno Pereira

Ftd Specialist

Bruno Ads

Since 2021, Bruno Pereira has been a driving force in iGaming performance and affiliate marketing. As the Founder and FTD Specialist at Bruno Ads, he has successfully delivered over 1 million first-time deposits (FTDs) through innovative Meta advertising strategies. Bruno’s expertise lies in building sustainable acquisition models focused on long-term CPA efficiency and revenue share growth, helping brands scale profitably in highly competitive markets. With a deep understanding of data-driven optimisation and player behaviour, he continues to push the boundaries of digital performance marketing.

Manila Di Giovanni

Founder & CEO

DWorld Malta

Manila Di Giovanni is the founder & CEO of DWorld, a tech startup creating the world’s first ever virtual economy for several countries and cities including Malta, the Principality of Monaco, Genova and Napoli in Italy, Philippines, and now expanding in Jersey and the Middle East. After being nominated in the Forbes 30U30 list and winning several international awards, she is currently one of the youngest metaverse leaders globally. Her mission is to transform the metaverse from a simple entertainment space into a driver of social and economic progress, turning digital transformation into a force for shared growth, equity, and the enhancement of every nation’s future developments.

Mark Galea Salomone

Managing Associate

WH Partners

Mark Galea Salomone is a Managing Associate in the tax team at WH Partners. He has extensive experience in corporate tax, having previously served as a Tax Senior Associate with Dentons in the UK's London office and worked in KPMG UK’s corporate tax department. Mark advises domestic and international clients on complex UK, Maltese, and cross-border tax matters, including tax restructuring, inbound and outbound investment, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and private wealth tax law. His clients include private equity houses, leading multinationals, financial institutions, and companies in the technology and crypto sectors. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cahiers de droit fiscal international (International Fiscal Association), International Tax Review, and Tax Journal. Mark is dual-qualified as both a lawyer and an accountant. He holds an LL.M. in Tax from the London School of Economics and an LL.D. (Doctor of Laws) from the University of Malta, and he is also a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA).

Charles Mizzi

CEO

Malta Gaming Authority

Charles Mizzi is Chief Executive Officer at the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). He joined the MGA following a five-year tenure at the helm of the Residency Malta Agency. During his time there, he led the organisation towards its goal of ensuring that Malta is one of the most reputable and desireable residencies by investment jurisdictions. He has extensive experience in operations management and a background in marketing, communications and national-level event management.

Stephen Crystal

Founder & CEO

SCCG Management

Stephen A. Crystal has spent over 32 years in all aspects of the casino, gaming technology, iGaming, sports betting, eSports, and sports entertainment industries. He has served as an attorney representing public and private gaming companies; a Las Vegas casino owner and gaming executive employing thousands of employees; and an investor and advisor on over 2 billion dollars of project finance, mergers, and acquisitions in the casino, gaming technology, iGaming, sports betting, eSports, and sports entertainment verticals. Steve received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College in 1987 and his Juris Doctor degree from American University in 1992. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri (1992) and the District of Columbia (1993). He served as one of the youngest State Representatives in New Hampshire State history and ran campaign strategy for numerous Presidential, Senatorial, and Congressional campaigns across the USA!

Andrea Marchetti

Partner & Director

WH Partners Italy

Zsuzsanna Zeibig

General Manager

EGT Kenya

Zsuzsanna Zeibig has been working in the gambling industry for 20 years and is currently the General Manager for EGT Kenya, overseeing the company’s operations across the African markets.

Avv. Valérie Peano

Founding Partner

EGLA (European Gambling Lawyers and Advisors)

Attorney-at-Law admitted as a Barrister of the Italian Supreme Courts and founding Partner of EGLA, Valérie is advising on all aspects of gambling law including licence tender applications, compliance, advertising, licence reviews, changes of control and business sales. She has acted as legal advisor for online gambling to the Italian Gaming Authority and the Italian Chamber of Deputies IV Finance Commission. Presently, she is advising national and international lotteries and gambling operators, B2B game and software suppliers as well as national regulatory authorities in various jurisdictions. From 2023 to date, she is acting as legal expert to the International Olympic Committee Unit against match-fixing. She actively contributes as author of various articles on gambling both at national and international level and acts as Jury for gambling awards.

Adam Rosenberg

Senior Advisor

Blackstone

Adam Rosenberg is currently Senior Advisor to Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, for Gaming & Leisure industry investments; he has extensive experience serving as Board Member, Board Observer and/or Special Advisor for public and private companies. From 2014 to 2021, Adam was Global Head of Gaming & Leisure at Fortress Investment Group, Adam held various investment banking positions at Goldman, Sachs & Co., and most recently as Global Head of Gaming where he advised and raised capital for casino operator, gaming technology and equipment manufacturer clients.

Christopher Mitoli

Head of Acquisition Italy

Marathonbet

Christopher Mitoli is an iGaming and digital marketing professional currently serving as Head of Online Acquisition (Italy) at Marathonbet, a position he assumed in May 2025. In this role, he leads the full acquisition strategy for the Italian market, managing affiliate, performance, and online media channels to drive customer growth and optimise ROI. His approach blends data-driven marketing with a deep understanding of regulated betting environments.

Simon Stokes

CCO

The Conexus Group

Simon Stokes is Group Chief Commercial Officer at The Conexus Group, a role in which he leads commercial strategy and operations across a portfolio of specialist businesses in the Payments and FinTech industry. With over 20 years’ experience in these sectors, he drives revenue growth, spearheads group-wide initiatives, and cultivates key client relationships for the group. Simon also spearheaded the launch of The Conexus Group’s dedicated FinTech M&A advisory arm, PaymentGenes Capital. In addition, he serves as a Commercial Board Advisor to a number of early-stage FinTech ventures.

Serhii Zakharov

Founder & CEO

PayDo

Serhii Zakharov is a globally recognised FinTech entrepreneur and the Founder/CEO of PayDo. His mission is to simplify online payments, a journey that began with developing IT projects as a teenager in Ukraine. By age 25, he became one of the youngest founders to lead a Financial Conduct Authority-approved institution in the UK. As CEO of PayDo, Serhii addressed the critical pain point of fragmented payment solutions by building a unified, regulated ecosystem.

Matt Sahakian

Gaming Consultant

Matt Sahakian has over 6 years of experience in the gaming, crypto, and tech industries, helping companies grow and expand globally. With strong expertise in business development and market entry, he focuses on creating strategies that drive real results, for PAMs, Operators and Game providers. Specialized in connecting worlds in the gaming sector Gaming, Matt offers a full 360° approach for partners looking to enter or scale in Brazi-Latam. With a strong multicultural and multilingual background, his expertise & connections helps bridge global opportunities with local emerging markets. Passionate about innovation and emerging businesses, Matt uses his experience & contact as regional director with big players such as Digitais and Betconstruct to strengthen his client presence, growth and strategies in Brazil & Latam. Matt Sahakian, connecting Gaming worlds through innovative solutions.

Valentina Diaco

Founder

Profit Matches

Valentina Diaco is a marketing strategist and growth advisor with nearly two decades of experience across entertainment, luxury, and iGaming. She has led digital for global brands including Bulgari, FOX International Channels, and PlayStation, and has held leadership roles at successful crypto and fiat operators, orchestrating marketing departments across branding, acquisition, and retention , from affiliates to influencers and KOLs. She is the Founder of Profit Matches, a marketing consultancy that helps businesses craft rational, data-driven strategies designed to align profit with purpose, and AI Match, a matchmaking platform that connects iGaming and crypto companies with the right AI solutions to bridge marketing, technology, and growth.

Sean Bianco

Co-Founder & CEO

GainChanger

Sean Bianco is the Co-founder and CEO of GainChanger, an SEO agency specializing in driving scalable, consistent, and results-driven growth for iGaming brands and online businesses. Since launching in 2020, GainChanger has helped companies achieve sustainable organic visibility through data-driven SEO, affiliate marketing, and brand protection strategies. A regular speaker at international conferences such as SEOday, Sean shares actionable insights on link-building, competitive SEO strategy, and building robust digital assets that generate long-term ROI. He is also developing an eBook and course series focused on helping entrepreneurs build resilient online businesses that can thrive amid industry disruption.

Matej Novota

Head of Casino Research

Casino Guru

Matej Novota leads Casino Research at Casino Guru, the world's largest independent online casino database. He helped grow the platform from 40 to over 8,000 reviews, building its trusted, data-driven methodology. Matej oversees the Complaint Resolution and Data Teams, drives tools like the Safety Index and champions fair play. A former software specialist, he brings technical and industry expertise to global conferences and initiatives promoting transparency and responsible gaming.

David Yatom Hay

General Counsel

Soft2Bet

Lior Aizik

Co-Founder & COO

XBO.com

Lior Aizik is the Co-Founder and COO of XBO.com – the next-gen crypto exchange and payment solutions for businesses. With over a decade of experience in fintech, algo-trading, and gaming, Lior focuses on building secure, scalable financial solutions that bridge traditional finance with the future of digital assets.

Nicolò D'Ercole

EVP – Technology and AI

Sportradar

Nicolò D’Ercole is Sportradar’s EVP Technology and AI, responsible for the company’s Odds and Sports Media products, for all the AI products, and for the adoption of Gen AI across the company. Prior to joining Sportradar in September 2024, Nicolò was a Director of Engineering at Google, where he worked for almost 14 years. When there, among other things, he led the development of Google Assistant Smart Display, Smart Dictation on Google Pixel phones, and more recently of the Gemini APIs and Google AI Studio.

Paul Puolakka

CMO

Mr. Gamble

Paul Puolakka serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at Mr. Gamble, bringing over a decade of experience in the iGaming industry. Since beginning his career in 2014, Paul has developed extensive expertise across marketing, sales, affiliate management, branding, SEO, and leadership. Having held senior positions such as Head of Affiliates, Affiliate Team Lead, and iGaming Consultant, Paul is known for his strategic insight and ability to drive growth in competitive markets.

Andrea Ruggieri

Journalist

Roman, 49 years old, former criminal lawyer and now a professional journalist, is the TV spokesperson for Silvio Berlusconi, a Member of Parliament for Forza Italia, and the Editor-in-Chief of Il Riformista.

Roberto Magnifico

Partner & Board Member

Zest Innovation

Roberto Magnifico started his career in corporate finance and international capital markets, in New York, Rome and London. Roberto is a Zest Innovation Partner and Board Member (former LVenture Group board member and Partner), being active in the early-stage VC industry. Roberto’s areas of interest include Software as a Service (SaaS), Startups, Digital Strategy, Crowdsourcing, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Development, Inbound Marketing and Business Planning.

Serafino Vaccino

Technical Compliance Director & AI Legal Lead

EveryMatrix

Nick Harding

Chairman

EAG Expo

Nick Harding has over 40 years’ experience in the Gaming industry, having worked in a number of senior positions before leading the MBO of the RAL business from Rank Group in 1996. RAL Limited became a leading operator of AGCs in the UK and in 2004 was sold to AIM listed Talarius plc, with Nick becoming CEO. In September 2007, he established Praesepe plc as an AIM listed company mandated to establish a UK based AGC business.

Devin Holmberg

Co-Founder

Richmond Street

Devin Holmberg is the Co-Founder of Richmond Street Inc., a Canadian digital marketing company behind YTZ.com, a leading traffic monetisation platform, and All In Affiliates, a fast-growing iGaming affiliate network. Active in affiliate marketing since 2008, Devin focuses on combining data-driven strategy and machine learning with human insight to drive sustainable partner growth.

Enrico Bradamante

CEO Malta

EGT Digital

Adam Calleja Urry

Business Development Director – Malta

BetConstruct

Adam Calleja Urry is a highly accomplished commercial professional with over 15 years of experience in sales and business development. His expertise lies in scaling B2B revenue streams and building high-performing sales and account management teams. He has a proven track record of managing P&L, developing effective go-to-market strategies, and expanding into key markets across EMEA, Latin America, and Asia. He is currently the Business Development Director for Malta at BetConstruct.

Ian Dawson

Co-Founder & CFO

ZBX

Mr. Dawson, has 20 years experience in banking, finance, corporate service provision and private wealth management, specialising in disruptive industries, business set ups, licensing and financial infrastructure. Previous roles include custodial banking and settlements at The Bank of New York Mellon in the UK, Private Wealth executive in Switzerland as well as CEO of ZBX in Malta up until 2024. Mr Dawson led ZBX through the initial VFA license application in Malta as well as its conversion to MiCA this year.

Leonid Blinov

Vertical Head

TikTok

15 years in Digital: led arbitrage and fintech teams. 4 years at TikTok: managed e-commerce, Big Tech, gaming, and iGaming. Facilitated the launch of iGaming at TikTok across global markets.

Luiza Blinova

Product Marketing Manager

TikTok

Product Marketing Manager with over seven years of experience in digital advertising across various verticals (app, web, e-commerce, measurement etc.), with a strong focus on Gaming and iGaming.

Maurizio Atzori

Head of Advertiser Experience

TikTok

As the Head of Advertiser Experience for METAP at TikTok, Maurizio Atzori is the strategic partner for C-suite leaders in the gaming and betting industry looking to maximise their growth on the platform. With four years experience at TikTok, he specialises in navigating the complex landscape of ad policy and monetisation to unlock new opportunities for businesses. Maurizio's core mission is to transform advertising challenges into scalable solutions. He is the key contact for companies seeking to overcome policy hurdles or establish higher-level strategic support.

Timofey Gordienko

Vertical Manager

TikTok

Over 10 years of experience in Digital & Mobile and 5+ years at TikTok. Oversaw the global rollout of iGaming at TikTok. Managed key projects across iGaming, Gaming, E-commerce, and Big Tech segments.

Guilherme Graziani

Head of Business Development – LATAM

OddsGate

As Head of Business Development with a specialisation in the iGaming industry, Guilherme Graziani has built a proven track record of setting up, scaling, and optimising operations across diverse markets. Guilherme’s expertise spans partnership strategy, market expansion, and revenue growth, with a focus on building high-performing teams and creating sustainable business models in fast-evolving digital sectors. Passionate about emerging technologies, regulated markets, and cross-border business, Guilherme is driven by the challenge of transforming opportunities into measurable impact.

Hebert Gaban

CCMO LATAM

KBET

Cindy Macintos

Ex-Chief People Officer

Pinnacle

Cindy Macintos is a seasoned HR executive and trusted strategic advisor with more than 15+ years of international experience in people strategy, leadership development, and organisational transformation. Formerly Chief People Officer at Pinnacle, a global leader in online gaming and digital entertainment, Cindy led diverse, cross-continental teams through digital HR transformation and designed leadership programs that elevated engagement, retention, and internal mobility. A certified leadership trainer and coach, as well as a Grief Recovery Specialist, Cindy brings a uniquely human-centered approach to strategic leadership.

Emily Freeland

Director of Value Consulting

Zendesk

Emily Freeland is the Director of Value Consulting at Zendesk, with over 20 years of experience in customer and employee experience, digital transformation, and technology innovation across multiple industries. She helps organisations shape strategic vision and deliver measurable outcomes, enhancing engagement, efficiency, and revenue growth. Specialising in identifying and modeling the business impact of advanced technologies, Emily enables data-driven decisions that accelerate change. A recognised speaker on strategic value and applied AI, she empowers organisations to leverage intelligent solutions for customer-centric growth.

Yaroslav Soloshenko

Head of Business Development

ELA Games

Yaroslav Soloshenko is Head of Business Development at ELA Games, an innovative iGaming provider known for its creative approach to game design. With over four years of industry experience, he combines strategic thinking with expertise in partner engagement, communication and negotiation. At ELA Games, he plays a key role in expanding the company’s global presence, building meaningful relationships and driving long-term growth. Before joining, Yaroslav held senior positions at prominent iGaming companies and holds a strong academic background in international relations.

Patricia Lalanda Ordóñez

Partner

Loyra Lawyers and Advisors

Ms Patricia Lalanda is Partner at LOYRA Abogados, a law firm specialising in gaming and gambling, where she leads the intellectual property, new technologies and data protection department. She advises stakeholders across the land-based and online gaming sectors on licensing, compliance, M&A, consumer protection and advertising law in Spain and internationally. Recognised by Chambers and Partners and Lexology, she was included in the 40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders (American Gaming Association) and received the Professional Excellence Award from Azar Magazine.

Rodrigo Galván Graf

Partner

L&BC

Rodrigo Galván Graf is Partner at L&BC, a leading Mexican advisory and litigation firm specialising in constitutional, administrative and regulatory law. With more than two decades of experience, he advises clients on compliance, corporate structuring and dispute resolution in industries including gaming, technology and financial services. He secured one of Mexico’s first judicial precedents recognising the right to obtain a multiple licence for both land-based and online gambling, shaping the country’s regulatory landscape.

Kieran O’Keeffe

Secretary General

EUROMAT

Kieran O’Keeffe is Secretary General of EUROMAT, a role he has held for over 12 years, advocating for balanced regulation to sustain Europe’s legal gambling markets. He is also Partner at DGA Group in Brussels, co-leading the EU Technology practice, advising clients on cybersecurity, AI, and competition policy. With 20 years’ experience in public affairs, he has served in parliamentary, trade and industry roles and sits on the board of the European Public Affairs Consultancies Association.

Valentina Gilberti

Head of Customer Success & Industry Insights

SGR Compliance

Valentina Gilberti is the Head of Customer Success and Industry Insights at SGR Compliance, a Swiss company providing a proprietary AML data database. With 14 years in the firm, she has supported database development and technical innovation, maximising data use for compliance, anti-fraud and anti-financial crime initiatives. Her experience highlights a strong focus on accuracy, adaptability and practical risk management in regulatory technology.

Andrea Manciulli

Chairman

Europa Atlantica

Andrea Manciulli is Director of Institutional Relations at the Med-Or Italian Foundation. A graduate in Modern History from the University of Pisa, he also studied at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris. An expert in military history and international terrorism, Andrea has served as Member of Parliament, Vice President of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee and President of the Italian Parliamentary Delegation to NATO. He is also President of Europa Atlantica.

Alfredo Lori

Project Manager

Cheope Risk Management Srl

Alfredo Lori is Chief Executive Officer of Cheope Risk Management, an Italian company specialising in anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-financial crime (AFC) services. With a professional background focused on financial integrity, he has guided public and private organisations to prevent economic crime and ensure compliance with European and national regulations. At Cheope, he develops partnerships that strengthen risk management frameworks and help clients meet evolving international standards through effective due diligence and reputation protection.

Imma Romano

Director of Institutional Relations

Codere Italia Spa

Imma Romano is Director of Institutional Relations at Codere Italia S.p.A. Since 2001, Imma has been working in the field of legal gaming and is a member of working groups within Confindustria (SGI/CSIT) and Confcommercio (EGP/FIPE). Imma is an EFPA-certified ESG Advisor and a professional member of FERPI, the Italian Federation of Public Relations. She was honoured with the title of Ambassador of “Gli Stati Generali delle Donne” for her personal and professional commitment to combating gender-based violence and promoting equality.

Laura D'Angeli

Founder

Studio D’Angeli Management and Strategy Advisor

Laura D’Angeli is an executive strategy consultant with over 20 years of experience and founder of a practice dedicated to innovation and sustainability in gaming. A member of the Study and Research Group on Player Rights and Health at the University of Tor Vergata, she also coordinates the e-sports module of the Maspes Master’s at the University of Milano-Bicocca. Laura collaborates with the University of Parma and co-authored Gli e-sport in Italia: come sviluppare una strategia di successo (E-sports in Italy: How to Develop a Successful Strategy).

Dario Poiese

Director of Affiliates & SEO

LeoVegas Group

Dario Poiese is Director of Affiliates and SEO at LeoVegas Group, part of MGM Resorts International, where he leads global strategies focused on AI analytics, unified KPIs, and sustainable growth frameworks. With over a decade of experience in the gaming industry, he has spearheaded affiliate transformation and digital expansion projects across multiple markets. Before joining LeoVegas, Dario scaled Italy’s leading affiliate site, Superscommesse.it, and managed European operations at Catena Media. He is passionate about creating measurable marketing ecosystems that align technology, creativity, and responsibility to deliver business impact.

Dmytro Matiukha

CEO

Betinvest

Dmytro Matyukha is the Chief Executive Officer of Betinvest LTD, a global B2B provider of technology solutions for the sports betting and gaming industry. With a strong vision for innovation and growth, he leads the company’s strategic development and international expansion, ensuring Betinvest remains at the forefront of the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape. His work focuses on driving digital transformation, developing next-generation betting products, and strengthening partnerships with operators and platforms worldwide.

Laura Tamburini

Advertising Sales Manager

Taboola

Laura Tamburini is Sales Manager at Taboola and based in London. Over the past four years, she has helped global advertisers run ROI-positive native campaigns, managing $200M+ in ad spend across D2C brands, agencies, and affiliates. Laura has worked across a wide variety of industries including e-commerce, finance, gambling, health, and beauty, helping clients scale their campaigns, optimise performance, and achieve their KPIs at scale.

Vinícius Moraes De Carvalho

Investment Partner

Ikigai Ventures

Vinícius has over ten years of experience working as an investor and operator at the intersection of finance and tech. He has been an active venture capital investor at leading funds in Europe and Latin America and holds an MBA from ESADE (Spain).

Stefan Rust

Founder

Index.fun

Stefan Rust is the Founder of Index.fun, a platform turning community data and real-world trends into on-chain, tradeable indices. A veteran in crypto and fintech, Stefan started in the space in 2012, first making waves as CEO of Bitcoin.com before launching Laguna Labs. Some of his prominent projects include a multi-chain data infrastructure TRUF.NETWORK and real-time inflation analytics Truflation.com. Stefan is a serial entrepreneur, global leader, and active crypto investor, with a track record of building market-first platforms.

Valerij Mitejko

Host & Event manager

Wintevents

Valerij Mitejko is an international event host, moderator, and creative producer with over 15 years of experience across Europe. Known for his dynamic stage presence and humour, he has hosted hundreds of weddings, corporate events, and festivals for audiences up to 3,000 people. A finalist of Ukraine’s “League of Laughter” and former TV presenter of “Tourists” on the National Channel, Valerij combines entertainment, emotion, and professionalism in every performance.

Lorenzo Barbantini Scanni

Co-Founder & CRO

Colossus Digital

Lorenzo Barbantini Scanni is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader with over 20 years of experience in scaling ventures, driving digital transformation, and pioneering blockchain innovation. As the Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Colossus Digital, Lorenzo has been instrumental in building a European institutional-grade regulated custodian that leverages cutting-edge platforms. Lorenzo’s entrepreneurial journey includes founding and scaling successful ventures, as well as leading the growth and exit of Xaltia. His expertise spans angel investing, business development, and fostering innovation in the technology and media sectors.

Denis Ristic

CEO

Popiplay

Denis Ristic is an accomplished leader in the iGaming industry with over a decade of experience. He began his career on the affiliate side, playing a key role in scaling AskGamblers and later serving as part of Catena Media’s executive team. For the past two years, Denis has led Popiplay. Under his leadership, Popiplay has expanded to a team of around 70 professionals and developed a strong portfolio of innovative games.

Vittorio Mele

Managing Director

DT9 Group

Vittorio Mele started his career in the digital world in one of the largest B2B services groups in the digital pharma industry. He is Managing Director at DT9, a leading company in programmatic and affiliation marketing for the gambling industry in Italy, Europe and Latam, managing all activities from a commercial and operational point of view. Additionally, he manages the DT9 TECH division for the development of internal assets and products to open up to the B2C market.

Richard Wanigasekera

Head of Business Development UK/US

SiGMA Group

Giuliano Guinci

Public Affairs, Sustanibility & Retail Operations Director

Eurobet Italy

Giuliano Guinci is currently Public Affairs, Sustainability and Retail Operations Director at Eurobet Italia, and coordinates the activities of the Entain Group Foundation in Italy. He has gained extensive experience in business consulting, leading major organisational and start-up projects within the entertainment sector. Since 2012, he has been in charge of institutional relations at Eurobet, with responsibilities across several corporate departments. He has coordinated and implemented Entain Group’s CSR strategy in Italy and since 2022, he has launched the Entain Italia CSR Award.

Lucie Kadlecova

CMO

Aviatrix

Christopher Bartolo

CTPO

Wildz Group

Christopher Bartolo is a seasoned Chief Technology and Product Officer with extensive expertise in tech leadership, commercially driven product development, and scaling through innovation. He has led the development of products that leverage AI and automation to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and drive business growth.

Leonid Kirakosyan

CEO

SoftConstruct

Leonid Kirakosyan is the Chief Executive Officer of SoftConstruct, a global technology company, that brings together BetConstruct, FeedConstruct, Pascal Gaming, CreedRoomz, PopOK Gaming and more. Before joining SoftConstruct, he built extensive experience as a partner to McKinsey & Company, where he advised leading international organizations on strategy, digital transformation, and operational excellence.At SoftConstruct, Leonid Kirakosyan has driven the company’s global expansion across software development, gaming, fintech, and digital innovation, leading a team of over 5,000 professionals worldwide. An alumnus of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, he combines strategic insight with a strong focus on innovation and talent development

Giampiero Moncada

Journalist

PressGiochi

Giampiero Moncada is a seasoned journalist with over thirty years of experience across radio, television, print, and digital media. For the past eight years, he has focused on the gaming industry, covering its regulatory, technological, and media developments. He contributes to both Italian and international publications and leads a traveling seminar, recognised by the Italian Journalists’ Association, on communication in the public gaming sector. His experience makes him a keen observer of the changes transforming the gambling industry.

Tatiana Bogolyubskaya

Head of HR

Aviatrix

Tatiana Bogolyubskaya is a HR professional with a strong foundation in operations and product. She began her career at Sportwetten Gera and later joined PokerStars, where she helped build high-performing customer service teams. With over 12 years in HR, she combines strategic thinking with relationship-building to support team growth. Now at Aviatrix, Tatiana focuses on operational efficiency and partnerships, drawing on her B2C and B2B experience to drive meaningful impact.

Jenny Ortiz-Bolivar

Asia Lead Senior Journalist

SiGMA Group

With almost 15 years of newsroom experience, Jenny Ortiz-Bolivar is an international journalist and executive producer specialising in gaming, blockchain, business, finance and emerging technology. She currently serves as the Asia Lead Senior Journalist and Reporter for SiGMA World, a leading authority in iGaming. Jenny leads a team of writers focused on producing content tailored to the Asia region, while aslo writing in-depth, analytical articles and reports on industry developments.

Rita Arnaus

Professional Kiteboarder

Ewa Bakun

Director of Industry Relations

Clarion Gaming

At Clarion Gaming since 2009, Ewa Bakun has held various roles focusing on industry research, market intelligence, key stakeholder engagement, product launches, strategic initiatives and insight. Amongst her most significant achievements are launch of conferences in new markets (USA, Latin America), introduction and growth of the Sustainable Gambling Zone, DEIB advocacy, evolution of ICE into the world’s largest institutional gathering, establishment of the ICE Research Institute and successful entry into Spain.

Maxim Makovetskyi

Head of Affiliates

Parimatch Affiliates

Maxim Makovetskyi is an affiliate marketing professional with 12 years of experience, including 6 years in the gambling industry with extensive background in building teams from the ground up and managing both strategic and operational processes. Maxim is skilled in driving performance for both niche single-geo gambling brands and complex multi-geo products, with deep understanding of all major B2C and affiliate platforms. Maxim has successfully managed multimillion-dollar affiliate budgets and scaled high-performing acquisition strategies across diverse markets.

Mike Costache

Co-Founder

Bound Protocol

Tomas Pérez-Quevedo

Co-Founder

MakaChain

Tomás Pérez-Quevedo is the Co- founder of Maka Chain, a layer 1 blockchain that is transforming the payments industry with its innovative model: your token pays our fees. He is also the Co-founder of the Blockchain Factory along with several other successful ventures across different industries over the past two decades

Margaret Dunn

Portfolio Director

Clarion Gaming

Margaret Dunn is the Portfolio Director for ICE. Back for its second time in Barcelona, Mags is responsible for the day-to-day management of the event as well as leading the team to deliver on ICE’s ambitious growth strategy. Her focus for 2026 is on building out the Regulatory Programme, prioritising the Sustainable Gambling Zone and attracting Big Tech companies to ICE to integrate into the global gaming ecosystem. Mags has over 20 years’ experience in event management, magazine publishing and content production.

George Child

Investigator

International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)

George Child joined the ITIA in October 2023 as an Investigator and leads investigations into breaches of both the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program and Tennis Anti-Doping Program. Prior to the ITIA, he worked for the Metropolitan Police Service in London for six years where he specialised in drug trafficking and gang related investigations.

Roberto Regianini

Executive Vice President

UX Group

Roberto Regianini has over 25 years' experience in the iGaming and digital payments industries, with a leading role in expanding the B2C and B2B markets in Brazil and in various regulated regions around the world. He has strategic vision and operational excellence and specialises in regulated markets and innovation-oriented environments. He is recognised for his ability to structure scalable digital platforms, lead cross-functional teams, run both startups and mature organisations and conduct mergers and acquisitions (M&A) processes.

Dmitry Belianin

Founder

Menace

After 15+ years leading marketing and commercial teams at operators, suppliers and affiliates, Dmitry Belianin did something bold in 2023: he left the comfort of the corporate world to dive headfirst into start-up life. Since then, he’s become a Managing Partner, co-founder and investor in some of iGaming’s most exciting young companies, including Already Media, Blask and Ebaka Games. He is also the host of the 15M Mastery podcast, where he shares insights and conversations with industry leaders.

Ksenia Melnik

Head of Partnership Success

TrafficStars

Ksenia Melnik leads TrafficStars’ Partnership Success team, driving strategic growth and building high-impact relationships across the affiliate marketing ecosystem. With extensive experience in digital advertising and sales, she has helped scale partnerships, optimise campaigns, and deliver measurable results for global clients. Known for her strategic vision and hands-on approach, Ksenia brings practical insights on maximising revenue, fostering strong partnerships, and navigating the fast-paced world of ad tech.

Jason Dean Frost

President

EUROMAT

Stefano Sbordoni

Lawyer

Sbordoni&Partners

Mr Stefano Sbordoni has an established reputation in the Gaming and Betting industry in Italy and internationally. In addition to being a consultant to Autonomous Administration of the State Monopolies, he has played a substantial role in the introduction of Bingo in Italy, in the re-organisation of the gambling licensing sector, the privatisation of the instant and traditional Lotteries and in lottery networks in foreign countries.

Liesbeth Oost

Head of ESG

JVH Gaming & Entertainment Group

Liesbeth Oost is Head of ESG at JVH Gaming & Entertainment Group. With over a decade of experience in ESG strategy and investor relations, she has led sustainability reporting for listed companies and now drives JVH’s sustainability roadmap, including CSRD readiness. Her background in foreign affairs and regulatory policy adds a global and pragmatic perspective to corporate sustainability. Liesbeth is committed to advancing sustainability across the gaming industry and actively contributes to shaping more responsible and future-focused practices.

Chavdar Trendafilov

Technical Director

Cloud Office

From designing speed radars to architecting complex cloud solutions, Chavdar Trendafilov’s career has been driven by a passion for technology. He thrives on building scalable and reliable systems, whether it's automating infrastructure, fine-tuning application performance, or guiding teams to deliver innovative solutions for enterprises. His experience includes significant work with enterprise integration platforms, including Software AG's webMethods suite, where he has tackled complex data and application connectivity challenges. At Cloud Office, he leverages this experience as Presales Director, focusing on driving cloud adoption and designing enterprise-grade solutions.

Geanina Oprita

Compliance Manager

Kaizen Gaming International

Geanina Oprita is a well-rounded lawyer with extensive expertise in regulatory matters across multiple practice areas. She has strong knowledge of the legal and operational aspects of gambling and gaming activities, with a focus on regulatory compliance and contentious issues. Her experience also covers consumer protection and advertising law. As Compliance Manager at Kaizen Gaming, Geanina supports regulatory compliance efforts across several jurisdictions, ensuring alignment with complex and evolving regulatory frameworks while supporting business continuity in a highly regulated industry.

Sargis Poghosyan

CPO

Creedroomz

Sargis Poghosyan is an experienced Product Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the computer software industry. Skilled in Management, Leadership, Project Management, Team Leadership, and Linux. Sargis is a strong program and project management professional with a Master's degree focused in Financial Mathematics from Armenian State University of Economics.

Leonid Matison

Head of Customer Success

FlexPlay

As the Head of Casino Customer Success at FlexPlay, Leonid Matison ensures operators get the most value from FlexPlay’s technology and services. With a strong technical background and extensive experience as an account manager for B2B poker and casino projects, he bridges the gap between product innovation and client success. Based in Yerevan, Armenia, Leonid leads a dedicated team focused on delivering seamless integrations, long-term partnerships, and exceptional operator support.

Joseph F Borg

Partner

WH Partners

Staffan Engström

Co-Founder & CEO

Fieldstream.Ai

Staffan is a data- and marketing science entrepreneur who has worked with optimization of iGaming Marketing since 2013. He began his work with AI in 2017-2019 together with Stanford University building a prediction model using neuro data creating the world largest neuro data base for marketing research purposes. Fieldstream AI is his fourth start-up, and the platform optimizes marketing investments and life cycle value for igaming as well as other verticals including auto, finance, fmcg, health care and entertainment.

Sahil Rikhye

Head of Digital, Data and Innovation

Bologna FC 1909

Sahil Rikhye is part of the new generation of sports leadership with a professional and technical profile that blends strategy, data, technology, and global perspective. Leading digital, data and innovation activities at Coppa Italia champions Bologna FC 1909, Sahil is part of a select group of leaders at Serie A tasked with redefining the value proposition of Calcio. With a blend of consulting and technology experience, Sahil has led seminal strategy projects with the Hong Kong government, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, PayPal, Q2, and Mercedes Benz, amongst others.

Kate Lifshits

CEO

NOWPayments

Kate Lifshits is the Chief Executive Officer of NOWPayments, with a background in marketing, business development, and, unexpectedly, simultaneous interpreting, Kate has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and shaping its strategic vision. Educated at Uppsala University, she brings an international perspective and speaks several languages. Under her leadership, NOWPayments has expanded its global presence, emphasising innovative crypto payment solutions and the adoption of stablecoins, which now account for nearly half of all transactions on the platform.

Elena Mannucci

TV Presenter

Stanisław Szostak

Co-Founder

Astral Forest

Stanisław Szostak (Stan) is the Co-founder of Astral Forest, consulting agency specialising in analytics, governance, data and AI for iGaming industry. Stan leads the iGaming practice within Astral Forest, working since it’s inception with online casino operators and other industry actors across Switzerland, France, Poland and UK. He specialises in leveraging data to drive business growth, marketing effectiveness, and ensure compliance and responsible gaming standards.

Mohammed Hamed

OpenText Senior Team Leader

TeKnowledge

Kurt Rapinett

Head of Data & AI

Deloitte

Kurt Rapinett leads the Data and AI offering within Deloitte Malta’s Technology & Transformation business. With over a decade of experience in top-tier management consulting firms, he brings a diverse industry background spanning financial services, retail and logistics, payments, gaming, hospitality, and the public sector. He oversees the delivery of technology-enabled advisory and transformation projects, with a focus on technology and data strategy, system integration and migration, advanced analytics, automation and AI, FP&A/EPM solutions, and cybersecurity.

Barbara Bednarek

Head of CEE App Customer Solutions

Google

With over a decade of experience leading and developing business strategies, Barbara is currently focused on app business development, working with Customer Solutions teams to help CEE's biggest clients build and grow their app businesses. Previously, she headed the S&O team shaping regional strategy for Google and SEED teams, where she worked with promising companies and startups across the CEE region. Before joining Google, Barbara was part of the team launching mBank, Poland's first online bank and undisputed market leader in the field.

Andrew Sackey

VP Commercial EMEA

Aristocrat

Marcus Hanna

CEO

BetToMax

Lotte Kempe

Director of Sales

Affiliate Alliance

With over 10 years of experience in the iGaming industry, Lotte Kempe has worked across a range of senior roles, including Director of Sales, Head of Casino Affiliate, and SEO Manager. Kempe is driven by a passion for growth, whether it's building strong partnerships, or leading high-performing teams, working across global markets in Europe, Asia, and the US. Kempe takes pride in building and nurturing long-term relationships with partners, clients, and teams alike. She believes that trust, communication, and collaboration are the foundations of lasting success.

Revaz Chkuaseli

CEO

VBET Romania

Tiziana Cannizzaro

Head of Marketing & Sales

Espresso Games

Tiziana Cannizzaro has worked for over a decade in the iGaming industry, focusing on communication, marketing, and business development. She manages the full customer journey, from identifying new clients and evaluating business opportunities to closing deals and overseeing account management. Since 2017, she has been the Head of Marketing & Sales at Espresso Games, to define commercial strategies and develop new business opportunities. Her approach combines analytical skills with creative insight, shaped by a deep interest in the audiovisual and entertainment industries.

Antonino Colapinto

Journalist

SiGMA Group

Rosi Bremec

Former COO

Game Lounge

Rosi Bremec is a seasoned C-level executive with over 25 years of international experience in iGaming, SaaS and technology. Known for embedding data as a strategic asset, she connects people, performance and commercial outcomes. Throughout her career, Rosi has led large-scale transformations, built high-performing teams, and navigated organisations through leadership transitions and regulatory complexities. A champion of cultures rooted in candour, trust and psychological safety, she believes that when data becomes a shared language, organisations scale smarter and faster.

Jelani "Tekkz"

Professional eSports Player

Francesco Crudo

Consultant & Digital Payments Expert

Francesco Crudo is an expert in digital payments and public gaming, with extensive experience in the regulation of payment systems and online gaming. Specialising in analysing the economic dynamics and regulations governing the gaming and digital payments sector, he has worked to ensure secure and compliant payment solutions. With a managerial career, he has played a key role in defining regulatory policies for the gaming sector, particularly in the area of electronic payments.

Marco Zechini

Equity Partner

Alma LED

Marco Zechini is an Equity Partner based in Rome, where he leads the Banking and Financial Regulation team. He has over twenty years of experience in legal and regulatory advisory services related to banking, financial, and investment services. Marco regularly assists banks, financial institutions, payment service providers, electronic money institutions (EMIs), EU investment firms, securities firms (SIM), and asset management companies (SGRs) with licensing procedures and managing their relationships with supervisory authorities such as the Bank of Italy and Consob.

Pavel Dergachev

Co-Founder

4H Agency

Pavel is one of the founders of 4H Agency and a visionary. He has 7+ years’ experience in the gaming and tech sector (including the most significant international operators and media giants). This experience allows him to bring a business-oriented approach to Agency’s operations. At 4H Agency Pavel is responsible for creating the business value to consultancy matters at 4H as well as for utilizing 360 approach to the Agency’s projects.

Lazar Keskinov

CEO

Balkan Media Group

Mushegh Khachatryan

Chief AI Officer

SoftConstruct

Mushegh Khachatryan is the Chief AI Officer at SoftConstruct, one of the world’s leading gaming and technology groups. He leads the company’s global AI Center of Excellence, driving innovation across gaming, fintech, and enterprise solutions. With a strong background in economics and data science, Mushegh has built and scaled AI-driven products that power more than a thousand B2B partners worldwide. His mission is to turn AI from a buzzword into measurable business impact aligned with the EU AI Act.

Adi Uraih

Solutions Architect

Incode Technologies

Israel Rosenthal

CEO

MuchBetter

Israel Rosenthal has extensive executive-level experience in the gaming and payment industries. Israel served as the Chief Operating Officer at Rational Group (PokerStars) from February 2006 to August 2016, where they were responsible for various operational and audit roles. Rosenthal oversaw a wide range of functions, including customer support, game integrity, security, payments, and resource management. In October 2016, Rosenthal became the CEO of MuchBetter, an app-based payment wallet that provides secure and economical e-payment solutions for customers and merchants worldwide.

Eleonora Incardona

Ambassador

DAZN BET Club

Eleonora is a famous sport personality in Europe. She is Ambassador of the cycling race Giro d'Italia and with DAZN she joined the FIFA Club World Cup and participates every weekend to Serie A matches to give analysis and predictions before the match from the pitch for DAZN BET Club.

Shay Segev

CEO

DAZN Group

Maja Marszalek

Chief Compliance Officer

Galactic Media Management

Maja is a senior GRC leader with global regulatory experience (FCA, SEC, FINRA, NFA/CFTC). Twice named among the Top 100 Most Influential in alternative investment services, she holds a Warwick Business School Executive MBA and specializes in licensing, scalable compliance programs, and turning regulation into competitive advantage.

Mihkel Raag

Business Strategy Leader

Incode

Max Trafimovich

International Non-Executive Director

SOFTSWISS

Max Trafimovich has been with SOFTSWISS since 2013, holding key leadership positions including Chief Commercial Officer. Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in driving market expansion and leading major mergers and acquisitions. As International Non-Executive Director, Mr. Trafimovich provides strategic oversight and independent guidance across business development and operations, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth.

Barbara Casillo

Managing Director

Associazione Italiana Confindustria Alberghi

Mario Frongia

National Council Member

Ussi Italy Presidential Committee

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