AIBC CENTRAL EUROPE AGENDA

Join top regulators from Latvia, Bulgaria, Italy, and Cyprus as they share cross-border perspectives on compliance, market growth, and the future of Europe’s iGaming landscape.

Maarten Haijer

Secretary General

European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)

Jānis Ungurs

Director of the Legal Department, Latvia

Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspectorate

Alexsandar Popov

Director

Directorate Supervision of Gambling and Gambling Activities - Bulgaria

Panagiotis Trisokkas

President

Cyprus National Betting Authority

As Brazil’s long-anticipated federal regulation finally rolls out in 2025, the panel will explore the balancing act between explosive growth potential and complex tax and compliance frameworks.

Alexandre Tomic

Founder

Alea

Tamas Kusztos

СCО

Playson

A high-stakes debate between politicians, regulators, and operators to assess the current progress of this sweeping reform - whose outcome will determine the stability and future of Italy’s gaming industry, its companies, and its workforce.

Malta’s global leadership is being tested by new EU scrutiny, emerging hubs, and shifting markets. How is Malta growing to remain a central node for global operations?

From empire-building strategy to calculated risk-taking, this high-stakes CEO panel uncovers the bold bets shaping iGaming’s global domains and what leaders today can learn from history’s original high rollers.

Marcel Tobler

CEO

Swiss Casinos

Explosive growth or cautious scaling? Legacy tech or bleeding-edge innovation? In this no-holds-barred live game show, industry leaders make tough calls in real time while the audience votes and challenges their thinking.

Mobile isn’t just a channel it’s the arena. Discover how to build, market, and monetize experiences that win on small screens but deliver big results in one of Europe’s most mobile-dominant gaming landscapes.

With attention spans shrinking and demand for action rising, microbetting is taking over. Learn how AI, real-time data, and UX design are transforming the sports betting experience and how to harness this trend for retention and revenue.

Get inside the minds of journalists, PR pros, and comms leads shaping the industry narrative. Learn how to amplify your brand, avoid media landmines, and own the conversation in a 24/7 content world.

Shirley Pulis Xerxen

Head of News

SiGMA Group

Joe Lamb

Founder

Volume Communications

From star streamers to product innovators, game CEOs, mathematicians, and top affiliates - who really drives growth: product or marketing? Discover new strategies that fuel player acquisition, retention, and revenue.

Top affiliate networks reveal how they’ve broken free from commoditized traffic by building brand personas that generate authority, improve CTRs, and anchor audiences across multiple verticals.

Christian Gruber

COO

Merkur Sportsbetting GmbH

AI-powered bidding platforms are outperforming manual campaigns across push, native, and in-app traffic, panelists dissect which tech stacks work, which KPIs to trust, and where to apply human intervention.

Examine how the iGaming sector can protect itself from emerging digital threats by sharing intelligence, applying legal safeguards, and ensuring risks are swiftly escalated to the proper authorities to preserve trust and reputation.

Michael Mallia

Head of the Malta Police Liaison Office

Europol in The Hague

Master post-GDPR marketing ecosystem by learning how operators are traversing cookie deprecation, consent frameworks, and ad bans using data-light targeting and contextual marketing.

Top performance marketers reveal how they cracked attribution post-cookie, sharing frameworks that unify email, native, social, and programmatic with end-to-end clarity.

Examine the clash between black-hat subdomain farms and ethical affiliate outreach: what works, what gets penalised.

Tamara Novitović

Head of SEO

Bazoom Group

How unchecked egos and poor accountability at the top unravel culture and performance, and what leaders must do to repair the damage.

A nostalgic look at the early days of iGaming: when regulations were light, innovation was bold, and pioneers built an industry from scratch in hubs like Antigua and Curacao.

Jillian Dingwall

Senior News Writer

SiGMA Group

Has regulation stifled the creativity and excitement that once defined iGaming? Explore how to revive the industry’s original spirit while staying compliant.

Heathcliff Farrugia

COO

SiGMA Group

A behind-the-scenes journey into the art of game creation, from music and sketches to the passion that brings unforgettable titles to life.

Shirley Pulis Xerxen

Head of News

SiGMA Group

Providing practical wellbeing programs: EAPs, flexible hours, peer‑to‑peer communities, that reduce churn and foster resilience.

Famous entrepreneur and inspirational figure from the UAE Sara Al Madani talks about how global community of business owners, KOLs and entrepreneurs across multiple industries develop an effort to bring attention to important issues and social impact challenges.

Dr Sara Al Madani

The Emirati Entrepreneur

Offer frameworks (safe retros, open dialogue, etc.) that equip managers to build teams that innovate without fear.

We´re championing up-and-coming startups with the exciting Pitch competition. Held live on stage, it's your chance to connect with investors and VCs—don't miss this golden opportunity!

Malta’s innovative and forward-thinking approach to regulating AI and cryptocurrencies has made the country a leading hub for blockchain and fintech startups. Industry experts, regulators, and entrepreneurs will discuss how Malta’s policies serve as a model for balancing technological advancement with responsible governance, attracting global investment, and creating a sustainable ecosystem for AI and crypto development.

Kenneth Brincat

CEO

Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

MiCA introduces strict rules for crypto businesses in the EU. What do compliance teams need to implement now? This panel breaks down licensing timelines, risk controls, and how to stay ahead of regulatory scrutiny.

Torben Friis

Managing Director

Match Liquidity DMCC

Lara Barbuto

Director of Compliance, Compliance Officer & MLRO (Malta)

OpenPayd

What does a post-SWIFT future look like? This discussion explores how blockchain and stablecoins are transforming international payments for banks and businesses.

Nathalie Oestmann

Partner

Mangosteen Advisory

Xavier Gomez

Group COO

Vancelian

Dmitry Lazarichev

Co-Founder

Wirex

Meryem Habibi

CRO

Bitpace

As Europe implements MiCA’s stablecoin framework and the U.S. moves forward with the Genius Act, how will these differing approaches shape the global market? Which model better balances innovation, consumer protection, and cross-border competitiveness?

Cal Evans

Managing Associate

Gresham International

Ron Segev

Founding Partner

Segev LLP

The panel will explore the latest innovations in AI-driven solutions, discussing how financial platforms can harness these technologies to proactively detect fraud, automate regulatory adherence, and personalize customer interactions at scale.
Supported by:

Mark Curmi

Non-Executive Director

Sparkasse Bank Malta

Payments are frequently viewed as mere operational necessities, yet they hold untapped potential to drive significant business growth. By leveraging innovative payment strategies and technologies, operators can transform payments from a cost centre into a powerful engine for enhancing user experience, boosting retention, and fuelling revenue expansion.
Supported by:

Julian Goffin

Co-Founder & CEO

Alunafi

Gil Tal

Founder & CEO

PayConsult

Join a heated debate on which types of digital assets will survive the current market and bring B2B and B2C adoption to the next level.

Jonathan Low

Founder & CEO

Biptap

Giovanni Cunti

CEO Europe

Gate

This panel dives into the technical challenges of scaling crypto payment platforms to handle the high transaction throughput demanded by modern gaming ecosystems.

Torben Friis

Managing Director

Match Liquidity DMCC

Ana Schulz

COO

FinchPay

Alex Konewko

Director & CEO

Finductive

Christopher Wilson

Founder

Radom

Explore how the UAE has emerged as a pivotal hub for innovation in cryptocurrency and web3, driving economic growth and attracting global talent through regulatory advancements and strategic investments.

Belal Jassoma

Director of Ecosystems

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

Join the panel of experts from the UAE crypto industry to learn about Real World Assets tokenization: from working use cases to regulatory nuances.

Anton Golub

CBO

Freedx

Get insider boardroom strategies as industry leaders tackle today's toughest challenges and reveal how they're turning disruption into opportunity.

Bernhard Teuchmann

Managing Director of the Product and Technology Division

Novomatic Spain

Discover how leading omnichannel operators across Europe are mastering the art of blending digital and retail gaming channels into one seamless brand and customer journey.

Giuseppe Donato

Country Director - Italy

Kiron Interactive

Andrei Frimescu

Marketing Director

Game World Romania

Step into the future of land-based gaming with this session revealing how operators can navigate outdated regulations and unlock the full potential of digital, cashless payment innovations to meet evolving player demands.

Rob Wheeler

Managing Director

RBW Systems

Uncover how the legal gaming industry can become a powerful ally in dismantling illegal gambling networks, this session calls on regulators to shift focus from just licensed operators to the shadow systems fueling the black market.

Matt Zarb-Cousin

Director

Gamban

Navigate the global maze of gambling laws in this power-packed session revealing how shifting regulations across key jurisdictions are rewriting the rules of market access, compliance, innovation, and competition.

John Hagan

Managing Partner

Harris Hagan

Dr Aftab Rizvi

COO

Gaming Associates

Prof. Pieris Chourides

President

Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission

Unveil how the legal gaming sector can stay investable and thrive financially, even as banks back away, by mastering strategies to attract capital, overcome funding roadblocks, and future-proof growth.

Learn how the next generation of slot machines is being reimagined, where cutting-edge design, immersive content, and evolving player expectations collide to redefine the future of gaming.

Why overspend on acquisition when retargeting brings players back for cents? Check how retargeting drives ROI in 2025.

Leonid Pudov

CEO

mr.Booster Agency

Learn how to build regulation-resilient, market-specific funnels in Brazil and India, combining cultural UX, compliant creator/partner ecosystems, privacy-first data capture, and mixed-traffic plays that reduce dependence on Google and ad slots most likely to be restricted.

Unveil how affiliates are mining micro-markets like India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia, with CPCs as low as $0.02, by deploying regional language SEO, Telegram Mini Apps, and hyper-local push strategies that convert at scale.

Unpack practical market-entry strategies, licensing requirements, and localization essentials for operators targeting newly opening EU territories, equipping you with first-mover advantage insights.

Maurizio Soccodato

Founder & CEO

Global Lab

Giusy Campo

Business Development Manager

GLI Gaminglabs

Understand how to adapt your acquisition strategy by leveraging influencer-led content, TikTok-native campaigns, and micro-affiliates in a regulatory environment increasingly hostile to traditional paid media.

With social trust replacing clickbait, discover how micro-creators using trackable offers and content bundles are outperforming traditional affiliate setups on TikTok, Telegram, and Instagram Reels.

From play-to-earn economies to on-chain gaming rewards, Web3 mechanisms are increasingly embedded into gaming experiences. 

Alexander Belov

Forbes Journalist, Coinstelegram Media & Fund Founder

Mike Danshin

CMO

1win Crypto

With each EU country applying its own regulatory twist, betting companies face a fragmented compliance landscape. Experts will discuss how to scale operations across borders while staying compliant, and how technologies like AI and RegTech are helping streamline audits, licensing, and AML protocols.
Supported by:

Giulio Coraggio

Partner

DLA Piper Partner

The session explores the revolutionary impact of data analytics and cutting-edge technology on the worlds of sports, betting, and marketing, highlighting how these tools are reshaping strategies and consumer engagement.

Join us for a remarkable showcase of the latest AI apps and tools that can be instantly used to scale business infrastructure, or simply improve your daily routines.

Tony Ventura

Innovation and Technology Speaker

From launching in-house tech ventures to incubating AI scouting platforms — why are elite sports organizations pivoting toward startup culture?

Samir Ceric

COO

Blocksport AG

Federico Smanio

CEO

Wylab

The keynote  explores how AI is transforming the sports industry by enhancing athletic performance, revolutionising fan engagement, and streamlining operations. It emphasises the synergy between human expertise and AI-driven insights—highlighting examples such as AI-powered coaching tools, personalised fan experiences, and data-driven decision-making in training and broadcasting.

Samir Ceric

COO

Blocksport AG

From play-to-earn economies to on-chain gaming rewards, financial mechanisms are increasingly embedded into gaming experiences. This panel dissects the convergence of DeFi and gaming, the legal grey zones, and the impact this hybridization has on users, developers, and regulators.

Samir Ceric

COO

Blocksport AG

Stefan Lavén

Founder

Data Talks

Emir Bursa

Founder & CEO

Delta3 Technologies

Patrick Seguev

Founder

Andaria Financial Services & Intercash

AI is powering scouting systems, injury prediction tools, and performance analysis — but who audits the code? This panel explores the unintended consequences of AI adoption in sports: racial or gender bias in data sets, opaque evaluation systems, and the real-life impact on athlete careers.

Dean Akinjobi

CEO

Footbal Media

Training shapes how teams meet compliance demands, protect players, and lead with fresh ideas - setting the tone for where iGaming heads next.

A fast look at the skills that will matter most by 2030  - from AI literacy to cultural sensitivity - and why they’ll decide who leads and who lags.

Operators are chasing data pros, compliance minds, and adaptable leaders. This panel weighs how training, smarter recruitment, and global reach can close the gap.

Learn how data-backed trend reports can turn market noise into strategic direction, helping operators, affiliates, and suppliers stay ahead of emerging opportunities and avoid costly missteps.

Get the ultimate forecast duel as experts dissect what’s actually delivering results in 2025 and reveal the disruptive moves that will redefine iGaming growth in 2026.

Discover why the next frontier of cybersecurity isn’t about firewalls, it’s about safeguarding revenue, reputation, and compliance in an era where one breach can crush market confidence.

Uncover proven strategies for transforming brand perception into market dominance and protecting long-term enterprise value.

Gain actionable insights on building a content roadmap that maximizes engagement, boosts player retention, and scales seamlessly across multiple markets.

Explore the hottest markets, regulatory shifts, and player trends shaping LATAM’s explosive progress and how to position your brand for first-mover advantage.

Learn how responsible gaming practices are not just ethical but profitable, defining the operators who will lead Africa’s high-growth markets in 2026 and beyond.

Cut through the hype: how to plug AI into iGaming workflows with measurable impact. We’ll distill key trends- agentic automation, multimodal/RAG, real-time personalization, on-device privacy, EU AI Act governance and more.

Discover how industry leaders blend data analytics with creative storytelling to craft unforgettable player experiences - and learn which side will dominate the next wave of growth.

Explore how Italy’s sport tipsters evolved into powerful betting influencers, discover the cultural roots of their rise, and uncover how their credibility, ethics, and transparency shape bettor behavior and bookmaker strategies.

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the gaming industry by enhancing player experiences and streamlining development processes. From optimizing game design and personalizing user engagement, to maintaining players mental health, AI is a game-changer that drives innovation and growth for gaming businesses.

In this keynote, Angelo Dalli will explore the next wave of AI innovation—Hybrid Intelligence systems that not only reason and plan autonomously but also apply the insight, foresight, and oversight gained from data with the wisdom of human experience, blending human-like intuition with explainable outcomes.

Angelo Dalli

CSO & CTO

Umnai

The only way to keep AI from taking your job is to use AI to do your job better. How does AI work for gaming industry? Learn more about predictive AI and neuroscience solutions for safer gaming experiences.

Mark Flores Martin

CEO

XGENIA

Karl Schranz

CEO

E&S Group

Generative AI is enabling entirely new kinds of startups and reshaping the cost structure of innovation. This session will look at how founders are leveraging AI to build leaner, faster, and more scalable businesses — and the new ethical, legal, and strategic questions this raises.

Karen Jouve

Co-Founder & CEO

Doors3

Keith Zammit

CEO

Elevate AI

Gil Solomon

Founder

Gil Solomon & Co

James Spiteri Staines

Director

Beacon Finance

With more data available than ever, AI is increasingly used to support — or even drive — critical decisions. This panel will explore tools and methodologies for integrating AI into business strategy, risk analysis, and forecasting.

Supported by:

Krzysztof Szyszkiewicz

Co-Founder & Partner

Valueships

Michael Cutajar

Founder & CEO

Klassifi

Listen to seasoned investors looking to diversify their portfolios with impactful startups in the fields of gaming, sports and emerging tech.

We´re championing up-and-coming startups with the exciting Pitch competition. Held live on stage, it's your chance to connect with investors and VCs—don't miss this golden opportunity!

Unveil how to select tracking platforms with live data, fraud detection, and seamless payouts  

Discuss how blockchain can create trust in the affiliate funnel, ensure fair attribution, and automate commissions.

Investigate AI tools that detect bot traffic, black‑hat techniques, and suspicious patterns, essential given rising ad fraud in iGaming.

Get ready as top CMOs enter the hot seat for a no-holds-barred game of Truth or Dare, revealing the bold truths, biggest blunders, and wildest marketing moves in iGaming.

Explore how end-to-end analytics reshape traffic quality and B2B collaboration, how social traffic boosts retention through multi-source synergies, and what bold experiments revealed about the power of organic, trendsetting, and search-driven growth.

Yaroslav Babych

CCO

ZM Team

Dive deep into how operators and affiliates can forge tighter, tech‑driven collaboration to unlock new levels of performance.

Marcin Kumięga

Business Development Director

Voluum

Clemence Dujardin

Group CEO

MyAffiliates

AI is rewriting the rulebook of affiliate marketing: automating campaigns, optimizing copy, and testing faster than any human, but as players grow wise to the fingerprints of automation, affiliates who rely solely on AI risk becoming obsolete

Yancy Naughton

Founder

Has Traffic

Explore know‑hows to unlock media buying opportunities often missed: data, creativity and tech married for serious performance uplift.

Marcin Kumięga

Business Development Director

Voluum

Renz Gonzales

Head of Business Development

PropellerAds

Tackle ad restrictions, regulatory compliance, and brand-safe creative deployment in sensitive markets  

Liam O’Brien

Chief Growth Officer

Aphex Media

Focus on predictive ROI models using first-party data, clean rooms, and deterministic tracking for smarter ad decisions 

Examine hyper-contextual ad tech: deploying affiliate promos based on live sports, esports or casino milestones to drive urgency.

Leading healthcare experts, addiction specialists, and technologists unpack the real structure of gambling-related harm, highlighting how tech, AI monitoring, and proactive policies can replace outdated measures with truly effective solutions.

ESG professionals and CSR leaders from top operators reveal the key levers, responsible gaming, community investment, green initiatives, that are transforming gaming from a profit-driven business into a socially accountable industry.

Examine how AI can detect problematic behavior and promote safer gaming environments, while also addressing concerns about data privacy and the risk of manipulation. 

Kris Galloway

Head of iGaming Product

Sumsub

Break down methods for real-time behavioral tracking, churn forecasting, and agile loyalty tweaks.

Promote metrics like engagement depth, psychological wellbeing, and inclusive culture effectiveness as better performance indicators.

Discover proven retention tactics that prioritize player wellbeing and sustainability, from ethical UX design to AI-based loyalty programs, while maintaining lifetime value and compliance integrity.

Step into the hot seat! In this interactive session, leading iGaming companies undergo a live ESG assessment on stage. Watch as their sustainability practices are scored, challenged, and improved in real-time!

Unveiling how operators and partners can redesign lottery games with digital-first mechanics, gamified experiences, and bold engagement strategies to attract Millennials and Gen Z while boosting performance and ROI.

Frank Cecchini

Head of Lottery

Evoplay

Learn how operators and PSP partners use payment orchestration, programmable vaults, and smart retries to raise approval rates, cut costs, and expand into new markets without adding checkout friction. 

Fabrizio Bergamaschi

SVP Gaming Global Multichannel

Nuvei

Vasilije Lekovic

VP Gaming

Trustly

See how operators, IDV vendors, and affiliates coordinate to curb multi-accounting, ATO, and chargebacks, using device intelligence and behavioral signals, while preserving fast onboarding and long-term LTV.