SiGMA World 2026: Day Two Kicks Off in Rome

The Opening Focused on Regulation and Responsible Gaming

The official opening ceremony took place on Tuesday, November 3, in Hall 3 on the Main SiGMA Stage, and was hosted by Trudy Kerr. Among the speakers were Heathcliff Farrugia, Chief International Relations Officer of the SiGMA Group; Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU); and Antonello Aurigemma, President of the Regional Council of Lazio.

During his speech, Farrugia highlighted the international reach of this edition, which brings together more than 30,000 delegates and representatives from over 65 regulatory authorities and government institutions. He also noted that the event could generate an economic impact of over 100 million euros in the local economy.

The executive underscored the importance of modern regulatory frameworks that protect consumers while providing legal certainty for operators working within the legal framework. In this regard, he warned that prohibiting gambling does not eliminate demand, but rather drives users toward unregulated platforms lacking controls or protective measures.

Farrugia’s speech also addressed the growing convergence of gaming with sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, digital payments, cybersecurity, and blockchain.

For her part, Tulia Ackson focused her address on the social impact of gaming and the need to strengthen the protection of children and young people. She mentioned risks associated with early access to digital games, loot boxes, inappropriate content, and design mechanisms that can encourage prolonged sessions or excessive spending. She also called for strengthened cooperation among governments, international organizations, industry, and civil society.

The institutional closing of the activities was led by Antonello Aurigemma, who emphasized the value of collaboration between the public sector and private companies to establish clear rules, promote legality, and support the development of technological innovation.

Following the ceremony and the official opening photo alongside Eman Pulis and Heathcliff Farrugia, attendees dispersed to explore the exhibition, conference, and networking areas at Fiera Roma.

Exhibition, Conferences, and Workshops on Day Two

The agenda for Wednesday, November 4, maintains the busy pace of activity at the exhibition center. The trade show, scheduled from 10:00 to 18:00, continues across nine available halls for delegates to walk the stands, resume meetings initiated on the first day, and forge new contacts with suppliers and industry companies.

In parallel, workshops are running from 11:00 to 16:30, featuring six sessions focused on the regulatory landscapes of South America and Asia. Topics include data protection, anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, and social impact. Among the topics planned for the Latin American region is an analysis of the challenges and opportunities within the Brazilian betting market.

The Rome 2026 conference also continues until 16:00, featuring panels and keynotes distributed across five stages with sessions in both English and Italian. The program brings together discussions on regulation, leadership, affiliation, technology, and trends shaping the gaming ecosystem and related sectors.

Another featured activity during the day is the SiGMA Grand Prix by SOFTSWISS, running from 10:00 to 17:30. The go-kart competition gathers six drivers per heat, with 20-minute sessions to clock their best times. The finals and award ceremony are scheduled for 17:30, recognizing the top overall participants with prizes including a Rolex for first place, an iPhone for second, and AirPods for third.

First-Hand from SiGMA World 2026: SoloAzar Covers the Event

The SoloAzar team is pushing forward with confidence into the second day in Rome amid high turnout and an extremely positive balance, with all activities progressing as planned. Featuring eight halls and spacious exhibition areas, the show provides a dynamic environment for networking and business tours.

In this context, SoloAzar launched a special interactive social media initiative embracing the Roman spirit: "What would you do if you were the emperor or empress of iGaming for a day?"—a prompt inviting industry leaders to share their most creative and disruptive answers throughout the day.

Bloko Padel Tour and Networking Activities

The sports program will also feature a highlight with the Finalissima of the Bloko Padel Tour, scheduled between 13:30 and 18:00. Finalists will play the final matches of this stage in Rome, while the winners will advance to the Super Cup slated for Thursday, November 5.

At 15:00, Networking Drinks begins in the Platinum VIP Lounge at Fiera Roma, designed to facilitate new connections among participants with drinks, music, and gastronomy. By that time, the VIP Creator Meet & Greet—held from 14:00 to 15:00 in the Wicked Games VIP Lounge and reserved for Platinum ticket holders—will have concluded.

The evening agenda will continue with parallel events. At 19:30, the Women’s Sauna Evening by Custodex will kick off as an exclusive activity for women working in the iGaming industry. At 20:00, the inaugural AGS Awards will take place, honoring key figures and projects within the affiliate marketing and performance community.

The nighttime finale will feature Riddick’s Formula – Two Years of Making Noise, a celebration marking the second anniversary of Riddick’s Partners starting at 21:00, bringing together affiliates, advertisers, product managers, and industry executives.

With the exhibition and content tracks well underway, SiGMA World 2026 continues to solidify Rome as a premier meeting place for the various segments of gaming, technology, and digital business.