Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) 2026

One of the most prominent professionals in the field of responsible gaming and a proud member of the Board of Directors of the European Association for the Study of Gambling (EASG). He runs his own company focused on responsible gaming policies and projects. He is a co-chair of the gambling section of the International Council on Alcohol and Other Addictions (ICAA), a board member of EASG, and a member of the EEGS advisory board.

Member of the Foundation 'Responsible Gaming'.

Shelley White is a visionary leader who has dedicated her life and career to empowering organizations that create better futures for people and communities. In 2017, she became the new CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) which is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of gambling harms around the world. Shelley leads the organization in their mission to promote responsible gambling and reduce problem gambling. It accomplishes this in four ways: conducting research to develop evidence-based responsible gambling policies, programs and standards; using the research to develop and implement innovative prevention, education and social marketing programs; by

Graduate of the American University in Bulgaria with over 5 years experience in the regulatory compliance domain.

Over 25 years’ experience in casino operations, regulatory and the manufacturing of gambling solutions across all land-based sectors. Furthermore, I was responsible for the design, sale, and deployment of Casino Management Systems across Africa. Earlier in my career I was responsible for the repair and maintenance of various military aircrafts.

Antonio Penchevski has been active in the gambling industry since 1992, starting as a manager of gaming halls in Southern Bulgaria. In 2013, he joined NOVOMATIC Bulgaria (Novo Investment Bulgaria EOOD) as a Sales Manager, and since 2016, he has served as Regional Manager for ADMIRAL Bulgaria (Vilox Group EOOD). Antonio holds a higher education degree and has extensive experience in managing and developing gaming operations.

John Connolly, Jr. is a results-driven executive leader known for his hands-on approach, collaborative mindset, and consistent ability to deliver growth. He leads by example, inspiring teams to tackle complex challenges with creativity, focus, and accountability. With a strong track record in both direct and indirect revenue generation, John has successfully driven 25–30% of total revenue through partner and channel ecosystems. He brings deep expertise in building and activating high-performing partnerships, using a “build with, sell with, market with, and partner with” approach to accelerate scalable, profitable growth. John is recognized for his ability to align cross-functional teams, foster transparency, and drive both strategic and tactical decisions with clarity and urgency. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration—internally and externally—enabling faster problem-solving and stronger business outcomes. His areas of expertise include strategic planning, global relationship management, go-to-market strategy, product marketing, mergers and acquisitions, and team leadership. A confident communicator and engaging speaker, John is equally effective in executive settings, customer engagements, and large-scale presentations.

Cristian has served as Chief of Staff at Romania’s National Gambling Office (ONJN) since March 2017, bringing extensive expertise in asset management, corporate restructuring, and strategic oversight across sectors like energy, mining, and banking. With a strong track record in building and leading sales networks, managing state assets, and negotiating complex cases, he has held leadership roles in prominent organizations, including Electrica SA, Transelectrica SA, and Volksbank SA. A seasoned professional with a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a History degree from the University of Bucharest, Cristian is proficient in English and Romanian, with additional

Jessica Maier is a co-founder of EGARA (Executive Gaming and Risk Advisory), a gaming consultancy firm specialised in providing C-level advice on regulation, licensing, risk-management, and compliance. Having been a partner in a law firm focussed on gaming law and the Chief Risk Officer/Head of Legal and Compliance and Head of Government Affairs in gaming software companies, Jessica comes with both private practice and in-house experience and has worked on various projects and public policy initiatives in close collaboration with regulators, legislators and industry stakeholders. She has been involved in numerous licensing proceedings (B2B and B2C), has performed regulatory due

Rada Gyonova is a member of the Board of Directors of Bulgarian Sport Totalizator. With multiple master’s degrees in Law, European Law, and Responsible and Sustainable Management, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Rada heads the company’s key projects focused on “Responsible Gaming” and “Sustainability,” emphasizing her commitment to ethical practices within the gambling industry. Additionally, she has served as the Head of the Legal and Procurement Department at Bulgarian Sport Totalizator for 10 years, demonstrating her extensive experience in legal matters and strategic management.