SiGMA Central Europe 2025: 30,000 attendees mark a record-breaking debut
It’s a wrap! SiGMA’s first event in Rome is done and dusted and – we’re calling it now: a resounding success. They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but SiGMA Central Europe made it shine in just four, with a record-breaking turnout of 30,000. We anticipate hitting that number once again in 2026, when the Rome summit will be back as part of next year’s global tour from 02 to 05 November.
Held in the sprawling event centre – Fiera Roma, and powered by RedCore, the expo was abuzz with activity over the last three days. From star speakers to imaginative booth design: here’s what stood out.
All the world’s a stage: and SiGMA’s hosting it
With a stage dedicated to regulation, the event proved a natural meeting place for policy shapers and government figures. President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, officially opened the summit on Tuesday with a keynote that spoke of the importance of finding a balance between growth and responsibility.
“If we want Europe to remain competitive”, she cautioned, “we have to be honest about what is still holding us back. Regulation in Europe is essential, but remains too fragmented.”
The conversation then turned from regulation to resilience as MMA legend Kamaru Usman took to the Regulatory Stage for an exclusive fireside chat titled “Championship DNA: Competing in Life & Business.” Supported by Melbet, Usman explored how the traits that drive success in sport – including discipline, focus and the will to adapt, can also define leadership in business.
“The biggest thing is starting. 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.”
From Kamaru to SPRIBE ambassadors Alex Pereira, Diego Lopes, Nina Drama, 1xBet’s Luis Garcia, and Betsson’s Totti. Sports stars were out in full force at SiGMA Central Europe. The event brought together the worlds of sport, tech, and iGaming in a mix of energy and innovation, showing just how closely these industries are now intertwined.
Meanwhile, industry giants were out in full force. Brand evolution and regulatory adaptation took centre stage during the keynote “Global Power, Local Passion: Evolving Betsson’s Brand for a Regulated World.” Speaking on the Regulatory Stage, Ronni Hartvig, Chief Commercial Officer at Betsson Group, delved into how one of iGaming’s most established names continues to balance global growth with local authenticity.
“Media prices are inflating, and CPA is higher than ever. Customer behaviour 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 night was young: Auction, awards, and arias
The B2B awards, taking place at the Cinecittà film sets – a theatrical showcase straight out of ancient Rome – opened the event. A six-piece band kept to the theme with scores from popular films, including Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, conducted by Italian composer and conductor Dario Vero, entertaining guests throughout the networking portion of the evening.
A surprise video message from musician Sting, who tuned in to wish nominees luck, then played. Guests enjoyed a specially crafted menu, with wines – Sacred Love and Roxanne served from the musician’s own private winery.
Pausing only for a nailbiting round of bidding during the SiGMA Auction, 30 accolades were handed out, followed by a final special award for outstanding contributions to the iGaming sector this year. This edition honoured Vardges Vardanyan, Founder of Digitain Group – a visionary who has built one of the world’s most respected iGaming technology ecosystems.
From BetConstruct and Altenar to Novamatic Italia, SPRIBE and Pragmatic Play, industry OGs put on a strong show, walking away with titles such as Best Casino Provider and B2B Industry Leader Italy 2025.
The SiGMA B2C Awards were no less spectacular, with Betsson Group and Riddick’s Partners amongst those taking home gold.
The SiGMA Auctions, held as part of the B2B and B2C Awards ceremonies, raised a combined €193,800 for high-impact projects driven by the SiGMA Foundation. The coming year will focus on education, healthcare, and community building. Meanwhile, the Hall of Game accolades honoured luminaries from across Italy and the wider gaming sector.
It was a full house at the Auditorium via della Conciliazione, with delegates eager to catch a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of Placido Domingo in action. Powered by RedCore, SiGMA’s private concert brought together three-tenor star Domingo and Pretty Yende, a South African soprano who is known especially for her performance at the 2023 coronation of the UK’s King Charles III, for a two-act compilation of popular pieces from Verdi, Giordano, Gounod, Puccini, Sorozábal, and Lehár.
Speaking to Antonino Colapinto from SiGMA’s news team, Domingo remarked that “it was incredible emotion, an incredible audience and a great performance” and that he hoped to return.
Pitch Perfect: Interad AEP and Vitalentum declared victorious
At SiGMA Central Europe’s Pitch competition, two standout innovators claimed victory. Interad AE, led by Founder and CEO Konstantinos Antonopoulos, impressed judges with its ground-breaking platform TOROTIPS, earning the top spot in the SiGMA Pitch Central Europe 2025 competition. Representing Greek technological excellence, Interad AE’s success highlights the region’s growing influence in digital innovation. On the tech stage, Vitalentum triumphed with its AI-powered image platform, hailed as a rising force to watch in the coming years. Both winners showcased visionary ideas and cutting-edge solutions, reflecting SiGMA’s commitment to spotlighting the next generation of tech leaders.
Celebrating partnerships
Fernando Saffores, CEO and Founder of Focus Gaming News, was gifted a commemorative painting celebrating his remarkable achievement of completing all six major world marathons – New York, Chicago, Boston, Berlin, Tokyo and London – earning the prestigious Six Star Medal. The artwork – a painting by Maltese artist Lara Vella – was presented by SiGMA’s Head of Media Sales, Renee Micallef Decesare, Chief Logistics Officer, Gunther Micallef Decesare, and Customer Success Manager Sofia Pissoni, during the SiGMA Central Europe event, marking a decade-long media partnership that began at the organisation’s inception. This milestone comes alongside Focus Gaming News winning Best iGaming Media of the Year at the SiGMA Central Europe Awards 2025. In 2024, the company also sponsored the Women Empowerment Project’s Hairdressing Annex in Bonga, Ethiopia, reinforcing its commitment to social progress and industry leadership.
Next up: SiGMA South Asia
SiGMA will hold its first event for the South Asian markets this year, heading to Colombo’s City of Dreams from 30th November to 2nd December. The event is expected to attract 5,000 delegates, with over 100 speakers contributing to 2 days of conference discussions, a top-tier exhibition showcase backed by leading operators, suppliers and affiliates, and unmatched networking opportunities designed to generate serious business
