Meet The 2025 Speakers
Hon. Robert Abela
Prime Minister of Malta
Hon. Robert Abela
Prime Minister of MaltaAbout the speaker
Dr. Abela, former legal consultant and Cabinet adviser, became Malta’s 14th Prime Minister on 13 January 2020. He led Malta through the pandemic, focusing on quality of life, infrastructure, education, environment and governance, implementing reforms to strengthen democracy. He was re-elected Prime Minister on 28 March 2022, continuing his vision for Malta’s future.
Hon. Silvio Schembri
Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects of Malta
Hon. Silvio Schembri
Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects of MaltaAbout the speaker
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. Jerome Caruana Cilia
Shadow Minister for the Economy and Enterprise Parliament of MaltaHon. Jerome Caruana Cilia
Shadow Minister for the Economy and EnterpriseAbout the speaker
Jerome Caruana Cilla was elected to Parliament in March 2022 as the Shadow Minister for the Economy and Enterprise. He is a member of the Economic and Financial Affairs Committe and an experienced financial services professional. Formally at an international bank in Malta, Caruana Cilia is now responsible for Risk Management at a leading Fintech company. Caruana Cilia is a member of the Malta Association of Risk Management and a member of the Institute of Leadership.
Hon. Cressida Galea
Member of Parliament MaltaHon. Cressida Galea
Member of ParliamentAbout the speaker
Creddisa Galea is an economist and a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic and Fincancial Affairs. She previously served in the Partilamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. In addition to her legislative responsibilities, she leads the Regulatory Affairs and Sustainability department at a local financial institution, where she focues on aligning regulatory compliance with long-term sustainability goals in the financial services sector.
Hon. Ray Abela
MP – Parliamentarian, Technology Educator & Digital Advocate MaltaHon. Ray Abela
MP – Parliamentarian, Technology Educator & Digital AdvocateAbout the speaker
Hon. Ray Abela is a Maltese Member of Parliament, educator and digital literacy advocate with over 30 years of experience. A former TV personality, he has championed accessible tech education across Malta through grassroots initiatives and national training programs. Elected in 2022, he contributes to key debates on innovation, AI and economic growth. With an MBA and a deep commitment to social progress, he continues to promote technology as a force for good.
Emanuel Darmanin
CEO MITAEmanuel Darmanin
CEOAbout the speaker
Emanuel Darmanin joined MITA in 1994 and since then has held various senior management positions, including that of Chief Information Officer. Over the years, he has been responsible for ICT Governance, Service Management, Information Security, Risk Management, Client and Supplier Contracting and Project Management. Before joining MITA, he worked in both the public and private sectors, gaining work experience locally and internationally.
Ivan Filletti
CEO GamingMalta
Ivan Filletti
CEOAbout the speaker
Charles Mizzi
CEO Malta Gaming Authority
Charles Mizzi
CEOAbout the speaker
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 extensice experience in operations management and a background in marketing, communications and national-level event management.
Philip Fenech
Deputy President The Malta Chamber of SME'sPhilip Fenech
Deputy PresidentAbout the speaker
Philip Fenech is the Deputy President of Malta Chamber of SME's, Head of Tourism sector, as well as Chairman for Town Centre Management for Paceville, St Julians. He sits on various boards such as MCESD Malta Council for Economic Development, BCCC Building & Construction Consultative Council, Traffic Board and many more. Philip has been active in top offical posts for voer 25 years with GRTU, now SME's Chamber.
George Gregory
CEO Malta EnterpriseGeorge Gregory
CEOAbout the speaker
George Gregory is the CEO of Malta Enterprise, responsible for driving investment, supporting enterprise growth and enhancing Malta's global competitiveness. With over 30 years in the accounting profession, he previously served as Managing Partner at one of Malta's largest firms. Known for his strategic insight and fast-thinking approach, he has led major acquisitions and restructuring projects. George brings deep experience across public and private secotrs to foster innovation-led economic development.
Rodrick Zerafa
CEO SEM - Servizzi Ewropej f’MaltaRodrick Zerafa
CEOAbout the speaker
Mr Rodrick Zerafa graduated in European Studies and Communications in 2016. He has held key communications roles within the Government of Malta and is currently CEO of Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta & Government Representative on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD). Outside work, he is a vivid football enthusiast.
Matthew Felice Pace
CEO Simply StakingMatthew Felice Pace
CEOAbout the speaker
After over a decade in academia and technical roles, Matthew Felice Pace Co-Founded Simply Staking in 2018. As CEO, he has grown the company into a global blockchain infrastructure with a 50-person team across three continents, supporting key projects like Chainlink, Lido, Polkadot and Cosmos Hub.
Natasa Stojcic
Head of Commercial BlexrNatasa Stojcic
Head of CommercialAbout the speaker
Natasa Stojcic is a seasoned commercial leader with over 11 years of experience in the iGaming industry. She’s known for building high-performing teams and turning smart strategy into measurable growth. Natasa leads with trust, transparency, and a strong belief in empowerment—fostering a collaborative, results-driven environment where everyone takes ownership of their work. She has a talent for turning big-picture vision into practical, impactful outcomes. She’s passionate about sustainable growth and developing talent—whether she’s shaping future-focused revenue strategies or mentoring the next generation of commercial talent in the industry. At Blexr, she leads the commercial chapter, with a strong focus on long-term impact and win-win partnerships.
Jonathan Low
Founder & CEO BiptapJonathan Low
Founder & CEOAbout the speaker
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.
Julian Goffin
Co-Founder & CEO AlunafiJulian Goffin
Co-Founder & CEOAbout the speaker
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.
Anton Golub
CBO FreedxAnton Golub
CBOAbout the speaker
Anton Golub is the Chief Business Officer of Freedx, a next generation centralised exchange for crypto newcomers and experienced traders. With 20 years experience in financial markets, his focus spans digital asset exchanges, market making, tokenisation of real-world assets and DAOs. He has held muliple C-level roles and board positions throughout his career.
Alexiei Dingli
Professor of Artificial Intelligence University of MaltaAlexiei Dingli
Professor of Artificial IntelligenceAbout the speaker
Prof Alexiei Dingli is an AI expert and Professor at the University of Malta with over 20 years of experience. He has helped numerous companies implement AI solutions, earning international recognition and awards from organisations including the European Space Agency, WIPO and the UN. He has also been a core member of the Malta.AI task force.
Dr Jane Thomason
Emeritus Chair World Metaverse CouncilDr Jane Thomason
Emeritus ChairAbout the speaker
Dr Jane Thomason is Chief Editor of Metaverse and Web3 at Frontiers in Blockchain and an Indsustry Associate at University College London. A global thought leader and author, she has recieved multiple honours, including Web3 Leader of the Year and Co-Founded the Women in Deep Tech Network.
Francisco Javier Fernandez de la Fuente
Co-Founder & Head of Trading Thebit ResearchFrancisco Javier Fernandez de la Fuente
Co-Founder & Head of TradingAbout the speaker
Francisco Javier Fernandez de la Fuente has been a professional trader for 16 years, specialising in DeFi and swing cryptocurrency trading. He is Head of Trading and Co-Founder of Thebit Research, a position he has held for over two years. In 2022, he ranked among the top 3,000 on-chain reputations on Ethereum main net.
Isaac Zarb
CTO Simply StakingIsaac Zarb
CTOAbout the speaker
Isaac Zarb, Chief Technology Officer at Simply Stacking is passionate about technology, cybersecurity, blockchain and AI. he bring extensive experience across iGaming, fintech, cybersecurity, bloachain and AI combining deep technological knowledge with a strong focus on innovation and security in these rapidly evolving fields.
John Ellul
Co-Founder VeracloudJohn Ellul
Co-FounderAbout the speaker
John Ellul is Co-Founder of Veracloud, a leading provider of innovative IT managed services. With over 16 years in IT, he is passionate about delivering tailored technology soltuions and exceptional customer service. He specialises in cloud, cybersecurity, compliance and infrastructure management, driving the company's growth and client success.
Prof. Joshua Ellul
Director Centre for Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) University of MaltaProf. Joshua Ellul
Director Centre for Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT)About the speaker
Prof Joshua Ellul is Director of the Centre of Distributed Ledger Technologies and Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Malta. The Centre runs a multidisciplinary Master's in blockchain and DLT, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds. His research covers blockchain technology and related techno-regulatory issues.
Wojciech Trzaska
CCO SB SoftwareWojciech Trzaska
CCOAbout the speaker
Jean Michel Azzopardi
Fintech ConsultantJean Michel Azzopardi
Fintech ConsultantAbout the speaker
Jean Michel Azzopardi is a seasoned tech and business professional with over 15 years of experience in blockchain and startups. He is currently a self employed fintech Consultant offering a broad range of services in areas such as, technical compliance, GTM, and blockchain architecture.
Dmitry Starostenkov
CEO EvenBet GamingDmitry Starostenkov
CEOAbout the speaker
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.
Luke Todd
CEO, Executive Coach & Trainer MadeYouLuke Todd
CEO, Executive Coach & TrainerAbout the speaker
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.
Kris Galloway
Head of iGaming Product SumsubKris Galloway
Head of iGaming ProductAbout the speaker
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.
Danylo Diachenko
CBDO Traffic DevilsDanylo Diachenko
CBDOAbout the speaker
Danny Diachenko is CBDO at Traffic 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.
Aleksander Borowski
CEO xremit.ioAleksander Borowski
CEOAbout the speaker
Alex Borowski, CEO of Xremit.io, uses his background in VC and ivestment banking to improve cross-border payments and financial inclusion. Xremit.io provides B2B payment and disbursement APIs, with a focus on prepaid and gift card solutions. Through Remittance 2.0, the company enables businesses to offer communities, especially in developing nations, secure, affordable ways to spend remitted funds, creating new economic opportunities and advancing financial inclusion worldwide.
Cal Evans
Managing Associate Gresham InternationalCal Evans
Managing AssociateAbout the speaker
Cal Evans is a multi-award winning Digital Asset lawyer at Gresham International, with extensive experience advising some of the biggest names in Crypto, NFTs, the Mataverse and Web3. A proud tech enthusiast and owner of patented crypto technology, he is a strong advocate for Digital Asset adoption. Named by Moncaco Voice's 40 under 40, Evans has been featured in major media outlets including CNBC, Forbes, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Cointelegraph, EasyJet Magazine and more.
Zack Ritchie
Co-Founder NFT ClubZack Ritchie
Co-FounderAbout the speaker
As a co-founder of NFT Club and Archipals, Zack Ritchie has developed over 400 unique products crafting cultural narratives through brand chracaters and immersive environments. His work spans fashion, digital collectibles, large-scale public installations and exhibitions. Collaborating with brands like Martini and Red Bull and insustry leaders such as Charles & Ron, Des Lucrece and Deadfellaz, Ritchie combines curiosity and experimentation to create memorable, shareable experiences that drive engagement.
Gavril Flores
Chief Strategy, Policy and Governance Officer MDIA - Malta Digital Innovation AuthorityGavril Flores
Chief Strategy, Policy and Governance OfficerAbout the speaker
Gavril Flores is Chief Strategy, Policy and Governance Officer at the Malta Digital Innovation Authority and is a Senior Visiting Lecturer at the University of Malta. With more than 15 years experience in strategic leadership, his expertise lies in strategy development and implementation. He leads the development of the National AI Strategy and Vision, spearheading digital innovation legislation in Malta, primarily in the fields of data, economic, ethical and societal considerations.
Mallorie Galligan
Co-Founder M&E Partners GlobalMallorie Galligan
Co-FounderAbout the speaker
Mallorie Galligan is an award-nominated leadership coach, strategic marketing advisor and startup mentor with 13+ years of international experience across media, AI, FinTech and iGaming. Now Chief Commerical Officer of 1GameChanger and Co-Founder of global consulting collective, she supports founders and teams with impactful strategy, messaging and leadership. A dedicated advisor and thought leader, Mallorie helps shape the future of media, tech and leadership through storytelling and social impact.
Jarek Bialek
CEO Revenue CapitalJarek Bialek
CEOAbout the speaker
Since 2004, Jarek Bialek has been active in the fintech sector, dealing with several B2B prodcts and in addition taking responsibility for the areas of product management, team building, sales and automated support. As CEO of Revenue Capital, he is also actively involved in the global startup ecosystem, as a mentor, coach, educator and entrepreneur.
Adrian Niculescu
Founder & CEO TOMORROWerse CapitalAdrian Niculescu
Founder & CEOAbout the speaker
Adrian Niculescu is a successful fintech investor and estate entrepreneur, spending more than 20 years building and developing companies. Adrian is CEO of Meta Description but above all, he is the CMO and EMEA of CloudCoin Consortium, a digital currency stored offline in a PNG or TXT file. Adrian's experience includes mentoring 30 tech start-ups since 2014, 250 real estate transactions completed since 2008 and a long held career in a variety of senior positions.
Christian Zammit
Senior Consultant - Financial Crime Compliance Bridge AdviceChristian Zammit
Senior Consultant - Financial Crime ComplianceAbout the speaker
Christian Zammit is a seasoned financial crime compliance professional with over 11 years of experience. In 2018, Christian joined the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) as a Compliance Officer within the Supervision Section. He quickly rose to the position of Manager, overseeing the supervision of credit and financial institutions, long-term insurance license holders and retirement scheme administrators. Christian joined Bridge Advice Ltd in May 2024, as a Senior Consultant focusing on providing business consulting and advisory services.
Jochen Biewer
Managing Director Chevron GroupJochen Biewer
Managing DirectorAbout the speaker
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 transation monitoring. He frequently speaks at global conferences and holds board positions in several industry associations.
James Olliver
Head of Digital PR Reboot OnlineJames Olliver
Head of Digital PRAbout the speaker
Heathcliff Farrugia
COO SiGMA GroupHeathcliff Farrugia
COOAbout the speaker
James Bennett
Founder & CEO Stable MintJames Bennett
Founder & CEOAbout the speaker
James Bennett is the Founder and CEO of Stable Mint, a MiCA-compliant stablecoin issuer and licensed EMI regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. He previously led ByteTree Group and has a background in economics and finance. James is a recognised fintech voice, focused on blockchain, digital assets and improving global financial infrastructure.
Kristino Vella
Director of Operations SuprnationKristino Vella
Director of OperationsAbout the speaker
Kristino Vella is an operations and employee experience leader with deep expertise in fraud prevention, risk management and AML within the iGaming sector. With a strong focus on integrity and efficiency, Kristino has built and led teams that protect businesses while fostering a culture of trust and performance. At SuprNation, Kristino combines operational strategy with a people-first mindset to drive both security and engagement.
Julia Logan
Head of SEO Wedia GroupJulia Logan
Head of SEOAbout the speaker
SEO since 2000 with focus on igaming for the last 18 years, consulted both operators and affiliates, built, managed and monetised own affiliate sites, been involved in a number of other top competitive search verticals besides igaming, spoke at a number of industry events and had articles on different SEO topics and issues published in several industry publications, also published in-depth research into various subjects concerning igaming SEO.
Loretta Joseph
Managing Director The Policy GroupLoretta Joseph
Managing DirectorAbout the speaker
Loretta Joseph is MD at The Policy Group and consultant at McDonell-Nadeau. She specialises in advertising governments on virtual and digital asset regulative and legislative frameworks for AML/CTF, Prudential and Securities sectors. Loretta was the expert lead on the commonwealth model law on virtual assets and is a ProBono Hero of the Commonwealth for this role. She is also an external resource to GIABA and other FATF regional bodies and global standard setters
Julia Weygandt
Director Zelda GlobalJulia Weygandt
DirectorAbout the speaker
Julia Weygandt is a strategic executive with 15+ years in gaming, focusing on scaling teams, driving growth and leading ops, sales and partnerships. With her expertise from various B2B and B2C companies in the industry, Julia cares passionately about paying forward the help she recieved in her own career and helping people from different backgrounds succeed. She's the co-chair of Global Gaming Women's International Commitee, actively organising and hosting GGW events in Europe.
Marvin Cuschieri
Group Chief People & Talent Officer LogifutureMarvin Cuschieri
Group Chief People & Talent OfficerAbout the speaker
Marvin Cuschieri brings a diverse background across consultancy, operations, payments, ride-hailing and gaming. With over 15 years in senior management roles, he joined Logifuture in 2022 as Group Chief People & Talent Officer. Marvin is part of the Group Management Team and oversees the global People & Talent function, spanning nine offices across seven countries. In addition, he serves as Managing Director of the Malta HQ office.
Daniel Shannon
Head of Marketing & SEO Casino KingsDaniel Shannon
Head of Marketing & SEOAbout the speaker
As Head of Marketing and SEO at Casino Kings, Daniel Shannon leads global growth across digital channels with a focus on organic search, affiliate marketing and commerical development. He drives customer acquisition and bran visibility thrpugh a multi-channel strategy spanning SEO, mobile, social media and crypto-focused campaigns. With deep iGaming expertise and a data-driven mindset, Daniel has expanded Casino Kings' presence in the UK and international markets.
Kush Desai
Founder & CEO Source Code LabKush Desai
Founder & CEOAbout the speaker
Kush Desai is the Founder and CEO of Source Code Lab, an iGaming and AI services company. Source Code Lab is a platform provider and game provider in the iGaming space and has expanded its offerings to AI related products and services in the past two years. Prior to this, Kush founded a fantasy sports and real money gaming platform in India called Twelfth Man.
Christoffer Andersson
COO 500 CasinoChristoffer Andersson
COOAbout the speaker
11 Years of experience in the Igaming Industry working with both B2B and B2C in various jurisdictions.
Joseph F Borg
Partner WH PartnersJoseph F Borg
PartnerAbout the speaker
Joseph Borg leads the FinTech and Gaming & Gambling practices at WH Partners, a Tier 1 law firm in Malta. Recognised by Chambers FinTech and Legal 500 EMEA as a top practitioner, he specialises in esports, corporate, IP and IT law. A Co-founder and Vice-President of Bitmalta, Joseph is also a lecturer in Gaming Law and a General Manager of the International Masters of Gaming Law.
Davinia Cutajar
Partner WH PartnersDavinia Cutajar
PartnerAbout the speaker
Davinia Cutajar is a partner at WH Partners and International Secretary of the Malta Chamber of Advocates. Her practice focuses on dispute resolution, corporate law and AML compliance. She advises on complex cross-border civil and regulatory matters, often coordinating multi-jurisdictional teams. Admitted to the Malta Bar in 2006, Davinia is also a member of the IFSP and its compliance Sub-Committee, with a strong track record in high-profile damages claims.
Ramona Cassar Azzopardi
Partner, Head of Tax WH PartnersRamona Cassar Azzopardi
Partner, Head of TaxAbout the speaker
Ramona Cassae Azzopardi, Head of the Private Client Team at WH Partners, is a leading tax lawyer in Malta, ranked by Chambers Europe, Legal 500 and Women in Tax Leaders. She specialises in cross-border tax matters, particularly in Tech and Fintech. Ramona is Vice President of Ally Law, Council Member of Malta Institute of Taxation and frequently speaks at international conferences. She advises HNWIs on asset management and protection.
Robert Zammit
Partner WH PartnersRobert Zammit
PartnerAbout the speaker
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.
Fiorentina D'Amore
Managing Director & Director of Expansions Bitpanda (Malta, Italy, UAE)Fiorentina D'Amore
Managing Director & Director of ExpansionsAbout the speaker
Fiorentina D'Amore is a seasoned sector leader with over 15 years of experience across Malta's largest banks, fintech startups and cryptocurrency businesses. Specialising in innovation, operational risk, regulatory compliance and strategy, she drives success through the application of technical regulatory excellence. A frequent speaker, she advocates for best practices in fintech, highlighting corporate governance's role in fostering industry growth. She is Chairperson of FIMA and serves as Managing Director for Bitpanda.
Alexandre Tomic
Founder AleaAlexandre Tomic
FounderAbout the speaker
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.
Aleksandar Tolsuzov
Key Account Manager RaketechAleksandar Tolsuzov
Key Account ManagerAbout the speaker
Alexander Tolsuzov is an affiliate marketing expert with over 15 years of experience working with major brands such as Bwin, William Hill and Raketech. Passionate about leveraging technology, UX/UI design and AI to enhance affiliate strategies, focusing on analysing, evaluating and optimising campaigns for maximum performance. Known for driving innovative solutions, with a deep understanding of how emerging technologies can transform affiliate marketing in competitive industries.
Giovanni Cunti
CEO Gate.MTGiovanni Cunti
CEOAbout the speaker
Giovanni Cunti has over 25 years of executive experience leading technology and financial services companies worldwide. Currently CEO of Gate.MT, an EU-regulated crypto exchange and part of Gate Group, he is responsible for friving 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.
Maruska Buttigieg Gili
CCO (Malta) FalconXMaruska Buttigieg Gili
CCO (Malta)About the speaker
Maruska Buttigieg Gili has over 25 years experience in Malta's financial services sector. She began her career at the Central Bank of Malta, gaining expertise in regulatory frameworks and EU compliance. She later spent 15 years at BNF Bank, serving as MLRP, Compliance Officer and Chief Risk Officer. Maruska also represented BNF and the MBA in national and EU-level working groups focused on AML/CFT and regulatory compliance.
Mark Flores Martin
CEO XGENIAMark Flores Martin
CEOAbout the speaker
Mark Flores Martin combines expertise in ethical hacking, AI and game development to push the boundaries of technology. Starting out securing systems for high-value clients like NASA and Disney, Mark transitioned into AI, building and scaling multiple endeavours. Mark went on to found several startups and enduring businesses. His passion for innovation eventually brought him back to the gaming industry, where he's using AI to create groundbreaking solutions for tomorrows iGaming sector.
Galyna Podoprikhina
Associate WH PartnersGalyna Podoprikhina
AssociateAbout the speaker
Galyna Podoprikhina is an associate at WH Partners, forming part of the FinTech, Intellectual Property and Gaming & Gambling teams. Listed in the 'Associates to Watch' category of the Chambers Fintech 2024 guide, she advises a wide variety of clients on both regulatory compliance and licensing. She has completed several specialised courses including the Summer Course on EU Financial Regulation, as well as Financial Markets Compliance and Regulation course from the Malta Stock Exchange.
Mikko Puhakka
Founding Partner Lion PartnersMikko Puhakka
Founding PartnerAbout the speaker
Mikko Puhakka, originally from Finland, spent over a decade in China working for both Chinese and international companies, before relocating to Europe and Malta. With 25 years of results-dricen experience, he has supported companies in fundraising, market entry, investments, acquisitions and exits across diverse cultures. Notably, he was a seed investor in MySQL. Mikko now runs Lion Partners, advising private clients like Venture Thrive and public sector entities across innovation and growth initiatives.
Simon Isbäck
Head of Poker Cubeia Sweden ABSimon Isbäck
Head of PokerAbout the speaker
Simon Isback started off his professional career as a software developer and got into the gambling industry in 2011 and the poker industry in 2015. Simon has been a poker enthusiast ever since Moneymaker, now he runs one of Cubeia's three products. With a focus on creativity, Simon is putting his efforts into re-building the poker boom of the early 2000's by building new and exciting features and providing new poker varients.
Joseph Attard
Director International Compliance EntainJoseph Attard
Director International ComplianceAbout the speaker
Joseph Attard is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) within the iGaming industry. He currently serves as the International Compliance Director at Entain PLC, a global leader in sports betting and gaming, overseeing compliance operations across various regulated markets. In addition, Joseph holds strategic leadership roles, including Director on various group entities and Managing Director at Entain's Malta office.
Quirino Mancini
Partner WH Partners ItalyQuirino Mancini
PartnerAbout the speaker
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.
Leanna Klyne
Agency Director AffiverseLeanna Klyne
Agency DirectorAbout the speaker
Leanne Klyne is an accomplished Agency Director at Affiverse with over 15 years experience in affiliate marketing. With her extensive knowledge of the industry, she has successfully managed affilliate programs across multiple verticals, including iGaming, retail, B2B/SaaS and finance. Leanna excels in creating short and long-term strategies to optimise performance and drive revenue growth. With her passion for affiliate marketing and her commitment to delivering results, Leanna is a highly sough-after industry leader.
Shirley Pulis
Head of News SiGMA GroupShirley Pulis
Head of NewsAbout the speaker
Anneli Nilsson
Founder JobMatchingPartnerAnneli Nilsson
FounderAbout the speaker
Anneli Nilsson is the founder of JobMatchingPartner, a boutique Malta-based recruitment agency serving global clients in iGaming, fintech, crypto and managed services. With a background in sales, she began her recruitment journey in London in 2004. Her career spans roles in Costa Rica and Malta, including Affiliate Director and COO. In 2019, Anneli left affiliate management to focus fully on recruitment, turning her long-time passion into a successful business.
Tatiana Bogolyubskaya
Head of HR AviatrixTatiana Bogolyubskaya
Head of HRAbout the speaker
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.
Jaime Debono
CEO iGaming AcademyJaime Debono
CEOAbout the speaker
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.
James McLeod
CTO IlkariJames McLeod
CTOAbout the speaker
James McLeod is the Chief Technology Officer at Ilkari, where he leads technology, engineering and product development for the company's industry-first sovereign technology solutions. With over 25 years of tech industry experience spanning e-commerce, fintech and online gaming, James brings extensive expertise in infrastructure and software development and has merged those technical skills with strategic planning to navigate the changing world of technology.
Glenn Debattista
COO BetStartersGlenn Debattista
COOAbout the speaker
With over 20 years of experience in the iGaming industry, Glenn Debrattista is a seasoned leader and strategist who has successfully managed and scaled various online platforms and products of Operators, Affiliates, Agencies and Platform Providers. As the Chief Operating Officer at BetStarters, he oversees the day-today operations and execution of the company's vision and goals, while ensuring the highest standards of quality and performance.
Ivonne Montealegre
Poker Tour Operations Manager SiGMA GroupIvonne Montealegre
Poker Tour Operations ManagerAbout the speaker
Maurizio Soccodato
Founder & CEO Global LabMaurizio Soccodato
Founder & CEOAbout the speaker
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.
Svitlana Rossi
Founder & CEO Conversion ClubSvitlana Rossi
Founder & CEOAbout the speaker
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.
Dimitry Voelkle
CEO Zelda ConsultingDimitry Voelkle
CEOAbout the speaker
20 years in the gaming industry, building up Sportsbook, Compliance and iGaming Companies through several jurisdictions.
Fabrizio Veltre Stolfi
Head of Gaming Operations Italy EvokeFabrizio Veltre Stolfi
Head of Gaming Operations ItalyAbout the speaker
Fabrizo Veltre Stolfi is Head of Gaming Operations at Evoke, overseeing the Italian market for brands like 888, William Hill and Mr Green. With experience at Games Global, Betsson, Dafabet and Condere, he specialises in product innovation, content strategy and sustomer engagment across B2B and B2C. Backed by an MBA and BSc, Fabrizio combines commerical focus with tech insight to drive results and deliver market-leading gaming experiences.
Jenny Ortiz-Bolivar
Asia Lead Senior Journalist SiGMA GroupJenny Ortiz-Bolivar
Asia Lead Senior JournalistAbout the speaker
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.
Matej Novota
Head of Casino Research Casino GuruMatej Novota
Head of Casino ResearchAbout the speaker
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 toold 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.
Mark Grech
Co-Founder & CEO PyazaMark Grech
Co-Founder & CEOAbout the speaker
Mark Grech is a seasoned product expert and emerging tech advisor with over 10 years of experience in the iGaming industry, having worked with leading companies in Product, Marketing, and Technology. He founded Prodmark 365 with a focus on developing the next generation of immersive products using emerging technology to disrupt across various industries. For the past 8 years, Mark has been deeply involved in the Crypto, Blockchain, and Web3 spaces, driving innovation and developing innovative solutions. As a versatile leader, Mark is driving Pyaza, a creative product idea he envisioned and built to reach its full potential, across social networking, community building, and tokenization.
Paul Fox
Co-Founder & Chairman Claymore SolutionsPaul Fox
Co-Founder & ChairmanAbout the speaker
Paul Fox is the Co-founder and chairman of Claymore Solutions, a PAGCOR-licensed SCBPO (Special Class of BPO) that provides internationally licensed gaming companies with streamlined access to the Philippines' highly skilled online gaming workforce. He began his professional journey in the sector in Guernsey before relocating to Manila in 2009 to establish Sportingbet's Asian office, now operating as Entain's regional hub. He continues to shape scalable pathways for global operators entering the Philippine market.
Dr Gege Gatt
CEO EBODr Gege Gatt
CEOAbout the speaker
Dr. Gege Gatt is the CEO of London-based company EBO an AI enterprise which automates citizen engagement. He is a digital entrepreneur, a TEDx speaker and has won the UK's Enterprise Awards in 2024. Gege serves as an Executive Board Member of the Malta IT Law Association and is a specialist examiner at the University of Malta. He's a Board Member of Humanity 2.0, developed by the Vatican in Rome with a consortium of thought-leaders.
Dr Justine Scerri Herrera
Managing Partner MK Fintech PartnersDr Justine Scerri Herrera
Managing PartnerAbout the speaker
Camille Pepos
Head of FinTech Supervision Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)Camille Pepos
Head of FinTech SupervisionAbout the speaker
Camille Pepos is a Head within the Fintech Supervision function of the MFSA which is entrusted with the authorisation and supervision of the VFA and Financial Institution sectors as well as the implementation of FinTech initiatives. An Economist by academic background, Camille also possesses two Master degrees in Finance and Wealth Management from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis and IAE Graduate School of Management. Before joining the MFSA, Camille held various roles in private banking, fundraising, fintech advisory and corporate services.
Vladimir Malakchi
CEO & Managing Partner Xanada InvestmentsVladimir Malakchi
CEO & Managing PartnerAbout the speaker
Vladimir Malakchi is a strategic investor and business scaling expert with over a decade of experience. For the past five years, he has been mentoring iGaming companies, guiding them to commercial success and top rankings in the industry. Recognized as Speaker of the Year and Influencer of the Year, Vladimir is also listed among the top voices in the industry on LinkedIn. He has been nominated for prestigious industry awards multiple times, leading companies to over 300 wins and nominations. As a renowned judge and speaker at global gambling conferences, Vladimir has made a significant impact. In 2024, he founded Xanada Investments, a fund dedicated to supporting promising iGaming projects. The fund aims to revolutionize business scaling by offering not just financial backing but also fostering a community of companies that support each other's success.
Dr Jonathan Spiteri
Senior Lecturer - Dept. of Insurance & Risk Management University of MaltaDr Jonathan Spiteri
Senior Lecturer - Dept. of Insurance & Risk ManagementAbout the speaker
Ambrose Muscat
MLRO & Compliance Officer MFSA Licensed EntitiesAmbrose Muscat
MLRO & Compliance OfficerAbout the speaker
Staffan Engström
Co-Founder & CEO Fieldstream.AiStaffan Engström
Co-Founder & CEOAbout the speaker
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.
Olga Finkel
Co-Founder & Partner WH PartnersOlga Finkel
Co-Founder & PartnerAbout the speaker
Olga Finkel is a partner at WH Partners, providing advice on strategic, regulatory and commercial matters to businesses primarily focused on digital economy and emerging technologies. She has been advising stakeholders in the gaming and gambling industry for over 20 years. Olga is ranked as a top-tier gambling lawyer by Chambers & Partners Global and is recommended for Data Privacy & Protection, Data Security and IT by Lexology Index.
Claudia Farrugia
Head of Operations MrQClaudia Farrugia
Head of OperationsAbout the speaker
With over a decade in the gaming industry, Claudia Farrugia has built deep experience in operations leadership, team building and strategic optimisation across a range of regulated markets. She has led strategy on AML & CFT, player safety, fraud prevention, payments and has been closely involved in numerous successful regulatory assessments across multiple jurisdictions. At MrQ, Claudia heads the operations function, streamlining processes for scale and efficiency.