Blokotech and SiGMA advance the global Padel tour ahead of Malta
Blokotech has joined with SiGMA to launch a global Padel tour spanning multiple continents, introducing a new format for relationship-building within the iGaming sector. The initiative brings together operators, suppliers and partners in a setting designed to complement the structured environment of traditional conferences, creating space for more direct and informal interaction.
This partnership builds on SiGMA’s strong reputation for bringing together industry leaders from around the world. SiGMA’s events connect executives, investors, and policymakers across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, helping them access markets, make deals, and discuss policies. Besides conferences, SiGMA also hosts networking sessions, prestigious award ceremonies, startup pitches, and SiGMA Foundation’s initiatives, creating more opportunities for partnerships to grow outside of formal meetings.
Different perspective, yet same objective
After starting in Buenos Aires, the tour will head to Malta on 28 April. There are still a few spots open for players. Blokotech’s CEO and Co-Founder, Salvatore Messina, explained that the idea for the tour came from a simple observation about how the industry works.
“The iGaming industry is extremely relationship-driven, yet most interactions happen in structured environments like conferences, meetings, or online calls,” he explains. “Those settings are important, but they rarely create space for more genuine connection.”
Playing Padel together changes the way people interact. On the court, participants connect more easily and have more natural conversations. These talks often go beyond scheduled meetings and continue between matches or in relaxed settings afterward. Messina says this slower pace helps people understand how others work and communicate in a more genuine way.
The Buenos Aires event showed that this approach works. Players from both advanced and beginner levels took part, proving that competition and teamwork can go hand in hand. The tournament was more than just a sports event, it was a place where professional relationships could grow naturally.
Conferences are still important in the industry, but Messina sees the tour as a valuable addition, not a replacement. Traditional events offer structure and reach, but they can limit how deeply people connect. Shared experiences like the tour give people more time and context to build stronger relationships.
This personal touch matters even more as the industry moves online. Meeting face-to-face, even informally, helps build trust faster. Watching how people handle pressure, work in teams, or compete gives insights you can’t get from formal meetings.
As the tour heads to Malta, the focus is on building long-term value, not just quick results. “Our goal is not immediate transactions but long-term relationship capital,” Messina says. The hope is that teamwork will continue beyond the court, with participants joining more discussions and opportunities connected to the event.
The geographic structure of the tour also reflects a strategic intent. With roots in Latin America and growing momentum in Europe, Padel mirrors the key markets shaping Blokotech’s expansion. By hosting events across both regions, the tour creates a platform where different parts of the global iGaming ecosystem can meet and exchange ideas, effectively bridging markets that are evolving at a rapid pace. This approach fits well with SiGMA’s global reach and highlights the partnership’s goal of connecting regions.
In the next few years, Blokotech plans to bring the tour to more key locations while keeping its main features. Growth will be careful, focusing on keeping strong interactions and a sense of community. “The goal isn’t simply to create another industry event,” Messina says, “but to build a recognised platform where meaningful connections continue to develop year after year.”
With Malta coming up, the Bloko Padel Tour is showing itself as a valuable addition to the iGaming events scene, focusing equally on context, connection, and continuity.
