From the Isle of the Knights to the ancient capital of the Roman Empire.
For years, SiGMA Europe has been the beating heart of the global iGaming industry, attracting thousands of professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Now, the event takes a historic step: moving from Malta—its birthplace—to Rome, for the first-ever Sigma Central Europe edition. A bold move, but one that reflects the growing international ambitions of a brand that has long set the standard for excellence, networking, and scale. At the helm of this evolution is Emily Micalef, Sigma’s Ceo, who explains how the organization is preparing to deliver its largest, most sophisticated conference yet—mixing global business with Italian elegance.
The official claim of Sigma Europe is “The mother of all conferences.” Quite ambitious. What are your goals and expectations for this edition of Sigma Central Europe? What’s new?
“At Sigma we’re excited to be launching Sigma Central Europe in Rome for the first time. With 30,000 delegates expected, it’s our biggest event to date. Our logistics team has carried out extensive research, on-site visits, and consultations to ensure a smooth and high-quality experience. We’re also running over 30 shuttle buses across three routes between the city and Fiera Roma, distributing complimentary metro tickets, and offering a special city guide for all networking events”.
What feedback have you received from the industry?
“We’ve received terrific feedback. Rome offers the perfect backdrop for an event of this scale—connected, accessible, and globally reachable thanks to its two airports, Fiumicino and Ciampino, just minutes from Fiera Roma”.
What are the key numbers and main features of this edition?
“The venue itself is incredible—Fiera Roma is one of Europe’s largest expo centers, hosting 1,200 exhibitors across eight halls with VIP lounges, a startup village, a media zone, and four dynamic stages. Over 550 speakers will share insights on innovation, regulation, and performance. And of course, our networking events remain unmatched—from an opera concert with Plácido Domingo to wine tastings in Rome’s oldest vineyards and the prestigious Sigma Awards”.
What’s your personal advice for attendees?
“Follow our event guide to make the most of every moment. Connect with like-minded professionals, build partnerships, and embrace new opportunities — and above all, have fun”.
A Huge Market and Untapped Potential. To the Sigma Group, Italy has emerged as the ideal destination for its flagship event, thanks to its “immense potential as Europe’s largest untapped online gaming market.” With a total gambling market revenue of €16 billion — the second highest in Europe — only 25% comes from online platforms, leaving €12 billion in largely unexplored offline revenue. As player preferences shift toward online gaming and Italy strengthens its position as a global financial hub, the country offers unparalleled opportunities for operators looking to expand.
The Dolce Vita of Rome. In a city where industriousness is a way of life, one might wonder whether the wheel ever stops turning. The answer is yes — and it begins with an aperitivo in one of Rome’s many vibrant nightlife districts. In addition to a series of high-end dinners, Sigma will also host two prestigious gala awards ceremonies, bringing together an illustrious lineup of personalities from the B2B and B2C gaming and tech sectors for an evening celebrating companies and individuals leading the charge for change. The Hall of Game also aims to recognize the contributions of distinguished figures, honoring those whose roles have been instrumental in building a sustainable and transparent industry.
Fiera di Roma: Room to Grow. The event will be held at Fiera Roma. With 10 pillar-free halls and a congress center featuring 13 meeting rooms, the 100,000-square-meter venue can host up to 60,000 attendees — providing an ideal environment for Sigma’s extensive program, which will for the first time take place across four conference stages. Moreover, exhibitors are guaranteed a full 10 days of setup time — more than any other major fair — allowing for creative booth designs while maintaining the high standards of excellence that Sigma is known for. With 75,000 square meters already sold out, the decision to launch the Rome event is a testament to Sigma’s rapid growth, positioning the brand as a global leader in both online and land-based gaming. From 1,500 delegates in 2014 to 30,000 expected in 2025, SiGMA’s journey is driven by a philosophy rooted in forward-thinking vision.
