With industry leaders, regulators, policymakers, affiliates and innovators converging under one roof, the event underscored Sri Lanka’s emergence as a regional player and solidified SiGMA’s commitment to building meaningful, long-term bridges in South Asia.

Pre-conference days: Arrival, awards and community impact

On 30 November, delegates arrived in Colombo for Pre-Registration and kicked off their South Asian adventure with a curated Explore Colombo by Jeep experience, a lively introduction to the city’s culture, heritage and coastline. Pre-registration stations welcomed guests throughout the day as anticipation built for SiGMA’s first-ever summit in Sri Lanka.

The evening culminated with the SiGMA South Asia Awards, held in the stunning Cumulus Ballroom at Cinnamon Life, a venue transformed into an elegant showcase of South Asian culture and industry excellence. A refined reception set the tone, complete with saxophone performances and traditional Sri Lankan dances by Dark Shine Dancers. These elements created a memorable backdrop for honouring the industry’s most influential innovators, trailblazers and changemakers.

However, the night’s most meaningful moment came through the charity auction, where the SiGMA Foundation raised vital funds for communities devastated by the severe flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwa. All proceeds were donated directly to emergency relief efforts, empowering local organisations responding to the crisis, a powerful demonstration of SiGMA’s commitment to impact-driven initiatives in every region it enters.

The awards ceremony recognised some of the most respected names in the industry, including Spribe, PG Soft, Softswiss, 1xBet, BetConstruct and Melbet Affiliates. Additionally, the prestigious Hall of Game category honoured changemakers driving sustainable innovation across the global gaming sector. The South Asia Hall of Game honourees included, Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO, Melco Resorts & Entertainment and Melco International Development and Tony Macmillan, General Manager of Gaming & Operations, Bally’s Casino Entertainment Ltd.

The evening celebrated South Asia’s rising influence in gaming while spotlighting leaders whose work inspires future generations.

Day 1: Expo launch, ribbon cutting and landmark regulation

The first day of the South Asia Conference opened with historic timing, as the Sri Lankan government officially launched its Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), which began operations on the very same day. The new authority aims to centralise oversight of all gaming and gambling activities in Sri Lanka.

During the opening ceremony, SiGMA Founder Eman Pulis shared his thoughts on SiGMA’s presence in the region, “They told us it cannot be done in Sri Lanka, but here we are, the first real gaming expo in the region. It’s a booming market, and between five countries a quarter of the world’s population is thriving in gaming here.”

This was then followed by the official ribbon cutting ceremony which inaugurated the event, which was led by Eman Pulis, H.E. Reuben Gauci, High Commissioner of Malta to Sri Lanka, India & Bangladesh and Ambassador to Nepal and Hon. Sunil Handunneththi, Minister of Industries & Entrepreneurship Development of Sri Lanka. H.E. Gauci emphasised the importance of strong regulatory frameworks to foster industry growth and ensure South Asia’s strategic ascent in the global gaming sector.

After the conference was officially inaugurated the event was in full swing. Throughout the day, a distinguished delegation toured the exhibition floor, including Tony Macmillan, CEO, Bally’s Casino, H.E. Hanif Yusoof, Governor of Western Province & Special Envoy for Foreign Investment, H.E. Reuben Gauci and Hon. Sunil Handunneththi. Their presence elevated the significance of SiGMA’s South Asian debut and underscored the region’s appetite for international collaboration.

The conference was packed with high level conversations and engaging panels and keynotes. Day 1 panels explored everything from affiliate strategies, AI landscape in iGaming, cybercrime, digital safety and much more. The exhibition floors buzzed with energy as global brands showcased cutting-edge solutions tailored to the region’s fast evolving market.

As evening fell, delegates made their way to the Lumina Ballroom on Level 7 for an exclusive round of networking drinks, where the atmosphere shifted into a warm, relaxed rhythm after a high-energy day on the expo floor. The open-bar setting encouraged guests to unwind with signature cocktails and premium refreshments, creating an inviting space for genuine conversation, spontaneous introductions and deepening professional ties. 

It was the ideal environment for delegates to reflect on the day’s insights, explore new collaborations and recharge ahead of the evening’s continued programme.

This was followed by an exclusive iGathering Dinner at Sapphire Dragon on Level 24, an elevated culinary experience where contemporary Cantonese cuisine met subtle Sri Lankan flair. Hosted in one of the venue’s most distinguished private dining spaces and powered by InOuT and GemGame, the evening offered an exquisite multi-course menu crafted to spark conversation. 

The intimate, invitation-only setting brought together industry leaders, VIPs and decision-makers for refined dialogue and meaningful relationship-building, all set against sweeping nighttime views of the Colombo skyline.

Day 2: Malta Day and high-level collaboration

The summit’s second full day delivered another round of compelling panels and discussions, including topics focusing on women in the digital economy, regulatory evolution across South Asia as well as emerging markets and cross-border collaboration.

A major moment of the summit was Malta Day, a special programme honouring Malta’s upcoming Republic Day, first celebrated in 1974. Hosted by Eman Pulis and H.E. Reuben Gauci, Maltese High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Ambassador to Nepal, the event began with VIP welcome drinks in the lounge, followed by a diplomatic reception in The Studio.

A guided tour was led by Eman Pulis along with SIGMA’s Emily Micallef, CEO and Clive Terribile, CFO. Speeches highlighted Malta’s long-standing role as a global gaming hub and its growing strategic ties with South Asia.

The day closed with a series of high-level gatherings. An executive networking reception hosted at the Pool and Bar 09 on floor 9, powered by Wicked Games, WikiBet and Quantum Gaming, brought together decision makers for exclusive dialogue in a relaxed ambiance with premium refreshments. Adding to the atmosphere was live performances including violinists and traditional dancers, creating an elegant ambiance that blended culture, entertainment and business.

Closing off the summit in true SiGMA style, the SiGMA Official Celebration took over the Pool and Bar on Level 9, transforming the venue into a vibrant open-air finale overlooking the city lights. Delegates gathered for an evening of unwinding after two packed days of panels, exhibitions and meetings.

Live music set the tone early in the night, before DJ Trevv D and DJ Shane took to the decks with high-energy sets that kept the atmosphere electric well into the late hours. Delegates mingled freely between the poolside lounge spaces, the bar and the dance floor, raising a toast to the week’s achievements, new partnerships and the historic success of SiGMA’s first-ever South Asian edition.

Roll on 2026

With 2,500 delegates, a packed agenda and major milestones, including the launch of Sri Lanka’s Gambling Regulatory Authority, SiGMA South Asia 2025 closed as a resounding success. The summit marked a bold new chapter in SiGMA Group’s global expansion and showcased the immense potential of South Asia’s gaming and digital economy landscape.

As the year draws to a close, SiGMA celebrates an exceptional debut in Sri Lanka as well as a powerful culmination of its worldwide 2025 event calendar. Momentum is strong, partnerships are growing and the stage is set for an even bigger year ahead.

Stay tuned and keep an eye on our global events calendar as we build on the extraordinary achievements of 2025 and prepare for an even more ambitious year of gaming, innovation and global collaboration.