Prof. Dr. Viorel Lupu is a senior psychiatrist and principal psychotherapist in cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT), trainer and supervisor accredited by the Albert Ellis Institute (New York), the Romanian Federation of Psychotherapy, and the Romanian College of Psychologists. He is a member of the Romanian Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies, affiliated with the “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca, an associate professor at “Babeș-Bolyai” University, head of the Pediatric Psychiatry Department at the Emergency Children’s Hospital, and honorary president of RASG.
Psychologist Dr. Ramona Lupu is a specialist psychologist in special psycho-pedagogy and supervisor, principal psychotherapist in CBT, senior clinical psychologist and supervisor, autonomous psychologist in educational psychology, school counseling, and career guidance, based in Cluj-Napoca. She is also the president of RASG.
Dr. Sally Gainsbury is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Sydney (Australia) and Director of the Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic. She has over 20 years of experience leading research aimed at minimizing gambling-related harm, with a focus on technology-based policies, practices, and interventions. Dr. Gainsbury has published extensively and has advised regulators and policy-makers internationally. She is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the academic journal International Gambling Studies and has received numerous awards in recognition of her research contributions, including a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 2025.
Dr. Rodda is a social scientist and Associate Professor of Psychology (Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand) whose research program focuses on developing and testing innovative, lived experience-grounded interventions for behavioural and other addictions, with a primary focus on gambling. Her work investigates theory-based behaviour change through brief and minimal interventions delivered across multiple modalities, including online platforms, telephone, text messaging, and smartphone apps. These evidence-informed resources are tailored to address the spectrum of behaviour change, from harm reduction to problem resolution. Dr. Rodda’s program of research also emphasises the feasibility and effectiveness of these interventions, addressing inequities by making them brief, in situ, and designed for integration into everyday life. Her work leverages over 17 years of experience as a clinician, researcher, and manager in the addictions field, spanning smoking, alcohol, illicit drug use, problem gambling, and internet addictions.
Dr. Mark Griffiths is a Chartered Psychologist and Distinguished Professor of Behavioural Addiction at the Nottingham Trent University (United Kingdom), and Director of the International Gaming Research Unit. He has spent 38 years in the field and is internationally known for his work into gambling, gaming, and behavioral addictions. He has published over 1650 peer-reviewed research papers, seven books, over 200 book chapters, and over 1500 other articles. He has won over 25 national and international awards for his work including the John Rosecrance Prize (1994), Joseph Lister Prize (2004), US National Council on Problem Gambling Lifetime Research Award (2013), ISSBA Lifetime Achievement Award for the Study of Behavioral Addictions (2023).
Prof. Neven Ricijaš is a full professor at the Department of Behavioral Disorders at the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences (University of Zagreb, Croatia). The basic scientific and professional area of interest is related to risky behaviors, criminology, youth delinquency, and behavioral addictions, with an emphasis on gambling addiction. He is also a co-lecturer of the course Gambling and Other Behavioral Addictions.
Assoc. Prof. Dora Dodig Hundrić is an associate professor at the Department of Behavioral Disorders at the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences (University of Zagreb, Croatia). Her primary scientific and professional interest lies in risk behaviours among children and youth, with a particular focus on behavioural addictions.
Jeffrey L. Derevensky, PhD, is Professor, Chair, and Director of Clinical Training in School/Applied Child Psychology within the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. He is also a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill and serves on the editorial board of numerous academic journals. Dr. Derevensky is a consultant to the NCAA, gaming corporations, and governments worldwide.
He has authored over 175 peer-reviewed journal articles, 60 book chapters, and 3 books, and is the Director of the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors.
Dr. Derevensky’s research focuses on high-risk behaviors in children and adolescents. He is internationally recognized for his work on youth gambling, the impact of social media on gambling behavior, and the social costs of gambling among young people. His research has contributed significantly to public policy and legislation across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He has provided expert testimony to legislative bodies and received numerous international awards for his contributions to the field.
Rolf Sims previously worked for 20 years in the public sector as a lawyer and policy advisor on gambling for the Norwegian Government before joining Kindred in August 2018, and later transitioning to FDJ United in March 2025. He currently serves as Head of Corporate Affairs, with primary responsibilities across the Nordic countries, Eastern Europe, and Romania. In this role, he is responsible for developing and delivering FDJ United’s public affairs strategies and political engagement, aiming to influence regulatory developments and enhance the company’s public reputation. He currently sits on the boards of several industry trade bodies, including the European Betting and Gaming Association and the Finnish Trade Association for Online Gambling.
