SiGMA Central Europe closes in Rome after four days of global gaming dialogue and excellence

SiGMA’s first Central Europe summit closed in Rome last week after drawing around 30,000 delegates to Fiera Roma, in what organizers describe as "a resounding success." The four-day conference, held from November 2 to 5, mixed policy debate, product showcases, and star appearances across an agenda that blended gaming, regulation, and technology.

The event opened with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola calling for a more cohesive approach to regulation in the bloc. “If we want Europe to remain competitive,” she said, “we have to be honest about what is still holding us back. Regulation in Europe is essential, but remains too fragmented.” 

Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman took the stage for a session titled Championship DNA: Competing in Life & Business. Supported by Melbet, Usman spoke about discipline, fear, and consistency as drivers of both athletic and business success. “The biggest thing is starting,” he said. “When you feel like you need to make a move but you’re afraid, that fear stops most people. It’s the consistency after the courage that matters most.”

Sports and gaming personalities were a visible presence throughout, with SPRIBE ambassadors Alex Pereira, Diego Lopes, and Nina Drama joining Betsson’s Francesco Totti and 1xBet’s Luis Garcia in highlighting the overlap between iGaming and sports entertainment.

Betsson Group Chief Commercial Officer Ronni Hartvig’s keynote, Global Power, Local Passion, addressed how global brands are adjusting to regulatory and marketing pressures. “Media prices are inflating, and CPA is higher than ever,” he said.

“Customer behavior is also changing; consumers are watching and interacting in ways we’ve never seen before. To stay relevant, we have to face these challenges head-on.”

The SiGMA B2B Awards opened the week at Cinecittà Studios with film scores from Gladiator performed by a live orchestra led by Italian composer Dario Vero. A video message from musician Sting introduced wines from his own label, while 30 industry awards were presented, capped by a special recognition for Digitain Group Founder Vardges Vardanyan.

Winners across the B2B and B2C ceremonies included BetConstruct, Altenar, Novomatic Italia, Pragmatic Play, Betsson Group, and Riddick Partners. Auctions held during both events raised €193,800 for the SiGMA Foundation to support education, healthcare, and community projects in the year ahead.

Greek company Interad AE won the SiGMA Pitch Central Europe 2025 competition for its platform TOROTIPS, while Vitalentum was recognized for its AI-powered image technology. Both startups drew praise for advancing digital tools in a space still dominated by established providers.

The summit closed with a nod to partnership and continuity. Focus Gaming News Founder Fernando Saffores was honored for completing all six major world marathons and for a decade-long collaboration with SiGMA. His publication also took home the Best iGaming Media of the Year award.

SiGMA now turns to its next destination, Colombo, Sri Lanka, where it will stage its first South Asia event from November 30 to December 2. About 5,000 delegates are expected, with organizers promising two days of regional dialogue on gaming regulation, digital commerce, and investment.