MEET THE SPEAKERS

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Ulrik Bengtsson has spent the last 20+ years in consumer platform businesses, across industries such as; Broadcasting, Betting & Gaming and Telecom. Most notably Ulrik was the CEO of William Hill, resulting in the £ 2.9bn acquisition by Caesars and subsequent carve-out sale to 888 in 2022. Before that he was the CEO of Global Betting and Gaming operator Betsson. Ulrik also spent seven years with broadcasting company Modern Times Group (MTG) first as CEO for the Swedish broadcasting business, Viasat, and later as CEO for the Emerging Markets Pay-Tv business. More recently Ulrik held the roles as COO and CCO for British telco giant ViginmediaO2 Currently Ulrik is the Chair of two-sided travel market place Hostelworld as well as Chair of Affiliate company Raketech and Slot Operator Gamenation. He is also working as advisor and investor in early stage Betting and Gaming related companies.

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Michael Caselli is a 20+ year iGaming industry veteran and considered one of the world’s leading experts on online gaming. He is a sought-after expert who hosts, chairs, and speaks at international iGaming conferences and has provided insight to international news broadcasts including CNBC, MSNBC and the BBC. In 1998 Michael launched the world’s first daily news website for online casino players. He launched several print magazines in the sector including consumer titles including, Gambling Online Magazine, Gambling.com Magazine and Bluff Magazine. He simultaneously launched the trade magazine iGaming Business and its associated affiliate and regional titles. Michael served as the editor of several of his magazines. Michael’s publishing businesses grew to include trade and consumer conferences and exhibitions including iGaming Affiliate and iGaming LIVE! In 2015 Michael sold his trade publishing and conferencing businesses to Clarion Events.

 Today Michael serves as Chairman of Clarion Gaming, is a director of iGaming Business, is a sector investor and is an advisor for companies in the iGaming space. 

 Michael holds an MBA and it’s thesis was the first academic work concentrating on iGaming. He has been honored by his peers throughout his career for his publications, expertise and contributions. He has been honored as a Leader in Gaming by the Global Gaming Expo, and has been given a lifetime achievement award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry by SiGMA.

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I’ve worked in the gambling industry for over 20 years with focus on casino and poker products. My main areas of operational interest are AI driven personalisation, careful customer profiling and segmented communication strategy.

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Charles Mizzi is the Chief Executive Officer at the Malta Gaming Authority. 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 desirable residencies by investment jurisdictions. He has extensive experience in operations management and a background in marketing, communications and national-level event management. He holds an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Henley Business School and is a dynamic and results-driven professional.

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With close to 20 years in online marketing and web development within the online gambling industry, Valentin Alsen is both a seasoned SEO professional and an online gambling expert. As Co-Founder and Director of SEO at Dilanti Media, he has established the company as a leader in online gambling affiliate marketing. Prior to co-founding Dilanti Media in 2018, Valentin held key positions at respected companies in the online gambling sector. He served as Head of SEO at Catena Media, where he was part of the management team that transformed the company into a prominent online casino affiliate, developing successful SEO strategies for various brands. He also served as SEO Manager at Starfish Media N.V. and was the first SEO Manager at Betsson Group. Throughout his career, he has overseen and developed numerous well-known online gambling properties, including CasinoEuro.com, Betsson.com, BetSafe.com, JohnSlots.com, and AskGamblers.com. His deep understanding of both the online gambling industry and search engine optimization, along with his commitment to staying at the forefront of developments, have solidified his reputation as an authority in the field. Valentin's expertise enables Dilanti Media to provide top value to players, matching them with the best-suited online gambling operators and driving growth for partners.

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Lucy is known as one of the "OG" investors in the UAE. She is focused on the innovation space, both in terms of supporting founders and as an investor. Lucy has garnered a strong reputation as someone who has helped build the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the UAE. Her recently published book, "Changing The Game", highlights the importance of digital technologies (in sectors such as gaming) and its relevance to the future of work. Lucy is an advocate and capacity builder focused on digital transformation as it applies to businesses, as well as the education sector. Her role as Advisor, 2022FemaleAngels and Representative, World Business Angels Investment Forum is both on increasing funding for entrepreneurs, as well as to achieve gender equity in the investment ecosystem in MENA. Lucy is a Linkedin TopVoice and one of CEO Middle East's Influential Women in the Arab World. She has been recognized by Arabian Business as one of 50 Inspiring Female Business Leaders. She is Top 100 Women of the Future and HSBC Middle East featured her as one of 75 outstanding individuals, who have contributed to the UAE’s rise. Lucy sits on the Board of Trustees for The American School of Dubai, as well as the Solidarity Circle, UNHCR. She has been a contributing author for Life on the Move, an anthology of stories about expat life and The Possibilities Project: A Young Person’s Guide to Career Success. She is pleased to be an Ambassador for Women In Games (WIGJ), Advisory Board member, HER Sports Summit and UNIPLAT and a Strategic Advisor #2022FemaleAngels. She has degrees from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management Northwestern University and HK University of Science &Technology, the University of British Columbia and Capilano University.

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Glenn is a seasoned Esports Trading Manager at Betsson with 8 years of experience in the gaming industry. Driven by a passion for esports and competitive gaming, he has witnessed the growth of the esports scene and the dedicated fanbase that surrounds it. At Betsson, Glenn has played a pivotal role in expanding the company's esports offerings and engaging with the community. His contributions have helped solidify Betsson's position as a leading player in the esports betting market.

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Maria Sayapina is a highly accomplished digital marketing leader renowned for her expertise in SEO across diverse industries, including iGaming, Big Data, Finance, Medical, and e-commerce. Currently serving as the Director of Casino at Gamelounge in Malta, Maria has driven remarkable expansions into key markets. With a track record of 70% performance increase in key markets, Maria's strategic acumen extends to advising on product quality and growth plans for mergers and acquisitions. Her leadership roles at Gamelounge and Raketech Group have seen her excel in team management, innovative strategy formulation, and seamless execution, driving substantial user acquisition, engagement, and revenue growth.

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Cristiano Blanco is a highly experienced professional in the iGaming industry, with a career that began in 2007. He has been instrumental in driving the sector's international growth, holding senior roles with strategic, commercial, product and organizational responsibilities. His expertise includes managing product lines such as Sportsbook, Casino, and Gaming, as well as excelling in product delivery, P&L management, change management, and leveraging data-driven strategies for business success. Cristiano’s leadership has been key to developing highly successful products. Notably, he has contributed significantly to the success of the Kindred Group and ComeOn Group, where he held senior positions while effectively leading multinational teams. Cristiano holds a degree in Law and an MBA from Derby University in the UK, which has provided him with a solid understanding of business operations, further enhancing his career achievements. He is known for being motivated, passionate, and results-oriented, consistently delivering excellence in his field and embracing new challenges to ensure organizational success.

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As SOFTSWISS’ Chief Operating Officer, Vitali Matsukevich combines strong leadership with an acute understanding of the iGaming business landscape. After five years of experience in the online poker industry, Vitali transitioned into IT, joining SOFTSWISS in 2014 as a Manual QA Engineer. Recognising his skills could be better applied in a different capacity, he shifted to the role of Operations Manager, where he was responsible for creating client bonus policy and overseeing content and game management. With extensive experience in operations and management, Vitali plays a pivotal role in driving SOFTSWISS’ growth and optimising its internal processes. His leadership and strategic oversight have been instrumental in expanding the company’s global presence and enhancing its product offerings across the online gaming industry.

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In his early 20s, David Meltzer quickly rose to the top of his game in the business world, becoming a millionaire. David lectured around the globe and saw rapid success in every business project he touched. But something was missing, and in his 30s as a multimillionaire, he went on a rapid downward spiral that ended in bankruptcy. It was only then that David realized, in order to revive and thrive, he needed to codify what had made him successful in the first place. He has since emerged to realize even more rewarding heights of success in business and life. David Meltzer has created a platform that uses four overarching principles—gratitude, empathy, accountability, and effective communication—and these principles have allowed him to communicate and mentor everyone from college students to c-suite executives. These four principles in everyday practice allow David to live by his mission to “make a lot of money, help a lot of people, and have a lot of fun.

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Gary Vaynerchuk serves as the Chairman of VaynerX, the CEO of VaynerMedia and the Creator & CEO of VeeFriends. He is a prolific angel investor with early investments in companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Venmo, Snapchat, Coinbase and Uber. Gary is also an entrepreneur at heart — he builds businesses. Today, he helps Fortune 1000 brands leverage consumer attention through his full service advertising agency, VaynerMedia which has offices in NY, LA, London, Mexico City, LATAM and Singapore. Gary was recently named to the Fortune list of the Top 50 Influential people in the NFT industry. Gary documents his life daily as a CEO through his social media channels which has more than 34 million followers and garnishes over 272 million monthly impressions/views across all platforms. His podcast ‘The GaryVee Audio Experience’ ranks among the top podcasts globally. He is a five-time New York Times Best-Selling Author and one of the most highly sought after public speakers.

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With a career in the gambling industry since 2005, he currently serves as President of APAJO (the Portuguese Online Gambling Association) and is a board member of both APAN (Portuguese Advertisers Association) and ACEPI (Portuguese Ecommerce Association). Additionally, he holds the position of Director of International Markets at the Betclic Group. He graduated in Finance and Investments from Babson College in Boston, USA, in 1995. Although his academic background is in finance, his passion for advertising and marketing led him to transition into these fields shortly after beginning his career in banking. Over the past two decades, he has worked extensively in the media and technology sectors, consistently focusing on the digital landscape.

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Jordan Belfort is an American author, motivational speaker, and former stockbroker. He was born in 1962 and is best known for his memoir "The Wolf of Wall Street," which details his rise and fall as a stockbroker in the late 1980s and early 1990s. "The Wolf of Wall Street" pursued his career as a motivational speaker.

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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 within the organisations he has been part of. He holds a Master's degree in Information Security from the University of London, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and AI from the University of Malta, a Diploma in Leadership and Management (ILM), and is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA ISACA). Additionally, he has pursued further certifications to keep abreast of emerging technologies. Currently, Clinton is reading a Master’s degree in Knowledge-based Entrepreneurship at the University of Malta. Clinton is renowned for his strategic thinking, execution skills, analytical capabilities, and proficiency in converting complex technical ideas into practical business strategies. Apart from his technical expertise, he is also a respected leader and mentor in the tech and iGaming sectors. He regularly engages in industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities, where he shares his knowledge and insights with peers and upcoming professionals.

About the speaker

Alexander Martin is an expert and veteran in the gambling industry. Today he is advisor and NED of gambling companies after he sold as CEO SKS365 Malta Ltd. to Lottomatica in April 2024. Alexander joined SKS365 as CEO in December 2019, responsible for leading SKS365 Malta Ltd.. The flag ship brand PlanetWin365 is an online led omni-channel sports betting and gambling company with 1000 shops. With a clear vision, mission and strategy seen tremendous by continuous improvement of customer, product, and employee experience. While growing PlanetWin365 the business added PlanetPay365 and PlanetSpin365. Before Alexander was Executive Board Member at the Gauselmann AG leading sports betting retail and online both B2B and B2C; igaming business both B2B and B2C; EMI and PSP services; and coin handling machine business. From 1999-2014, Alexander, was part of leadership team of top management consulting firm Kearney GmbH focusing on the Digital Transformation of companies in various industries across the globe esp. in High-tech, software, hardware, retail, consumer goods, financial institutions and in the process industry.

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Susan Breen is a Partner in Mishcon de Reya’s top-ranked Betting & Gaming Group. Susan’s practice spans both corporate and M&A, as well as regulatory and commercial advice with over 25 years’ experience acting for gambling industry clients. A particular strength of Susan’s practice is her ability to blend her corporate knowledge with regulatory, infrastructure, and compliance advice to many of the industry’s leading operators, service providers and business owners both in the UK and internationally.

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Robert Dowling has been in this business for a long time and is a well-known face. He has worked with some of the biggest and best industry veterans and has kept his own style of being very honest. Dowling has a great track record and a lot of experience in the entertainment and gaming industries. Additionally, Rob used to run some of Europe's best-known entertainment brands. Ten years ago, he decided to move into the online world and hasn't looked back since. He has mostly worked in B2B platform sales, but he has also led teams in Casino, Sportsbook, and Payments to grow their businesses around the world. Finally, Rob is now in charge of the sales team at GlobalBet, where he is planning to take this "epic" brand into new regulated markets in all parts of the world.

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Daniel Finkler is the CEO and Co-Founder of Berlin International Gaming (BIG), one of the most successful and far-reaching esports organizations in Germany. Since its founding in 2017, BIG has developed into one of the leading organizations in international esports, backed by a strong fan culture. The Berlin-based organization now employs over 50 people and has expanded its business into areas beyond esports operations, including event management, merchandise, consulting, and bootcamp services. Today, BIG’s top partners include global brands such as Red Bull, Logitech, Pizza Hut, Acer, Volvic, and Philips.

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Ivana Flynn, SEO with 16 year of experience, an author of the original test of the SEO value of follow/nofollow links, well experienced and enthusiastic internet marketer and SEO consultant, achieving great success with clients across several industries. Ivana has been working with iGaming for 9 years now, she is a well seasoned conference speaker and SEO evangelist. She has spoken in all of the important industry conferences and is a 2x Brighton SEO speaker. Ivana has been featured in several popular podcasts such as 'Majestic', 'SimilarWeb', 'I hate SEO' and many more where she shared her SEO and marketing expertise. She is a co-founder of a growing YT channel 'The SEO Club' and loves speaking at conferences about SEO and marketing.

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Lior Aizik, COO of XBO.com, is a seasoned leader in the cryptocurrency and fintech sectors, with over a decade of experience driving innovation and growth in financial services. As a co-founder of XBO.com, Lior has been at the forefront of developing user-friendly cryptocurrency exchange platforms that aim to make crypto accessible to everyone. His extensive background includes spearheading product development and operations for various companies, where he has successfully led teams in creating cutting-edge financial solutions, including payment gateways and trading systems. Before joining XBO.com, Lior held pivotal roles at industry leaders in the Algotrading and Gaming industry, where he honed his expertise in payment solutions, UX, product management, and trading operation. His career is marked by a deep commitment to leveraging technology to simplify financial processes, ensuring secure and seamless experiences for users. Lior's mission is to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the emerging world of digital currencies. His vision is to create a financial ecosystem where cryptocurrencies are not only a viable alternative but a preferred choice for global transactions. At SiGMA Europe, Lior will share insights on the current opportunities and challenges in the cryptocurrency landscape, drawing from his experience and hands-on approach.

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Quirino Mancini is the global head of the gaming and gambling practice at Tonucci & Partners (www.tonucci.com), a top Italian general practice firm with offices in Rome, Milan, Brescia, Padua, Florence, Tirana, Bucharest and Belgrad. Quirino is one of the leading Italian gaming and gambling lawyers with a specialist practice of more than 15 years. He acts for many Italian and foreign-based online and land-based companies operating in the Italian gaming market advising them on all business strategy, legal regulatory and operational connected to their activities. Alongside his robust and long-established legal and regulatory practice he also runs a bespoke matchmaking and business strategy service to provide clients with a broader and more customised type of assistance that notably includes also introduction and facilitation of dealings with the local regulatory authorities, banks as well as scouting and suitability checks on potential business partners. He is also heavily engaged in the sports & entertainment fields and regularly advises market analysts, banks, investment houses and venture capital funds directly or indirectly involved in the Italian market.

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Wei See brings two decades of IT experience, half of which were dedicated to cybersecurity. She's been serving major corporations like HP, Oracle, F5, and Microsoft. Currently leading APAC Sales at Group-IB from Singapore, she's known for driving top-tier sales teams for the past decade.

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Sandzhar Ismailov is a seasoned leader in the digital advertising industry, with over 14 years of experience at Google leading the largest global Gaming partners. As a trusted advisor to top Gaming companies, Sandzhar has a proven track record of driving business transformation through innovative marketing strategies.

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Multi-Award winning Digital Asset lawyer with experience working with the biggest firms in Crypto, NFT's, Metaverse and Web3. A not 'secret tech geek' owning patented crypto technology. Advocate for Crypto, Digital Asset adoption. Monaco Voice 40 under 40. Proudly featured in some of the worlds biggest media including: CNBC, Forbes, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Cointelegraph, Easyjet Magazing and others.

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Dr Jane Thomason is Chief Editor of Metaverse and Web 3 for “Frontiers in Blockchain” and a globally recognised thought leader in Metaverse, Web3 and MedTech. She is an Industry Associate at University College London, Centre for Block- chain. She is the author of “Block- chain for Global Social Change,” “Ap- plied Ethics in a Digital World,” and “Advancements in the New World of Web 3: A Look Toward the Decen- tralized Future”. Dr Jane was named as one of “8 Metaverse experts to follow,” “Top 100 women in Web 3 and Metaverse,” and “Top 25 Women in Fintech and Blockchain, MENA” and was featured by CNN in their se- ries on the Metaverse “Decoding the Secrets of the Metaverse.” She was honoured in 2023 by AIBC Eurasia as “Web 3 Leader of the Year.” She is also the co-founder of a “Women in Deep Tech Network and Investment Platform.

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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 promote API governance by bringing best integration practices into the gambling industry.

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Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni is a leading figure in emerging technologies, serving as CEO of AI for Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center (DBCC). His appointment is part of Dubai's ambitious 'Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence', which aims to position the city as a global leader in AI innovation and implementation. In his role at DET, Dr. Al Zarouni works closely with both the public and private sector to roll out policies and initiatives to harness AI to enhance the quality of life for Dubai's residents and enrich visitor experiences. As the CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center (DBCC), he has been instrumental in driving blockchain adoption in the region. With over two decades of experience in technology, information security, digital forensics, and AI, he has driven significant advancements in blockchain adoption and AI innovation. As a founding member of the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) and the Artificial Intelligence Ethical Committee (AIEC), Dr. Al Zarouni is recognized globally, including being named one of the top 100 influential figures in blockchain and cryptocurrencies by CoinTelegraph in 2022. His contributions to the field have also earned him a place as a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Cryptocurrencies from 2020 to 2021.

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