First of all, we asked SIGMA Group CEO, Emily Micallef, about their main goals. She said that: “SiGMA´s Malta Week summit was undoubtedly our biggest yet - welcoming 27,000 delegates - and is the result of significant investment into the quality of the event. Our expanded networking areas were well received, with outdoor space lending a unique festival vibe to the expo. Our conferences have also been extremely well attended, with big industry names bringing high value content to the stage. Indeed, many panels and workshops were so full it was standing space only!”

Then, Emily commented about the biggest infrastructure challenges they had to face in order to organize such an important event. “Organizing such a large-scale event involves overcoming significant logistical challenges to maintain the high standards of quality SiGMA events are known for. With 27,000 delegates expected, meticulous planning was required when it came to accommodating such a large turnout, including accommodating over 1000 exhibitors and sponsors and vendors across 45,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor space. The ambitious three-week set up mobilised nearly 2,000 specialists from across the globe to build 700 stands, crafting the venue’s metamorphosis from a shipyard to our largest conference yet. We were also prepared for unforeseen disruptions, such as the weather. Despite a few early morning showers, the sun came out just as we opened our doors - happily we had great weather for the rest of the event”.

 News and highlights of the event

 What new features or differentiating experiences could attendees observe in the latest edition of SiGMA Europe?

“Our expo floor has seen a sizable increase to its footprint due to an unprecedented number of new exhibitors clamouring for a spot. To cater for this, we introduced a fourth shed, which offered an additional 15,000 sqm of much needed indoor and outdoor space to the venue. New networking areas were also added, as well as quieter spaces for meetings, and a revamped registration and media lounge area. Scenic ferry shuttles proved popular, offering an attractive commute between Valletta, St Julian´s and the MMH. Badge collection points were also extended in the run up to the event, with major hotels and airports offering early pick up for delegates flying in ahead of the event”.

 What were the most outstanding aspects of SiGMA Europe 2024?

“The B2B and B2C award ceremonies saw a spectacular turnout, with the gala evening also serving to officially kick off celebrations for our 10th anniversary. The night also acted as the perfect launchpad for a special announcement introducing our new destinations and dates for 2025. The award ceremonies also host a charitable auction in support of the SiGMA Foundations philanthropic projects. We were extremely proud to raise €237,000 across the two nights - an amount which contributes to almost a million raised over 2023 and 2024. Projects this year have included education and upskilling programs for women in Ethiopia, cleft palate surgeries for children in Colombia, and the construction of a community centre in Batawaan, Philippines. Upcoming projects will include plans for a new annex to a hospital in the Peruvian Amazon, Community Development Projects, Puerto Barrio, Guatemala, and collaboration with Centurion FC on the construction of an MMA training centre for underprivileged youth in Sao Paulo”.

The regulatory aspects

How have you addressed regulatory and ethical issues, given that gambling faces different perspectives in various countries?

“We dedicated a full conference segment to the regulatory landscape. This conference provided an in-depth focus on key regulatory and compliance trends in the gambling industry, with panels discussing Malta's role as a B2B hub, taxation challenges, shifts in mature EU markets, and emerging opportunities in the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East. Keynotes by industry leaders, including Uri Poliavich, Bill Gantz, and Malta Gaming Authority CEO Charles Mizzi, addressed player protection, dispute resolution, and Malta's future-ready gaming sector. Several very well attended workshops also took place in the run up the conference, with focus extending to the Italian and African markets”.

The future of SIGMA

What are your goals for the 2025 edition and when will SiGMA Europe be held?

"We´re looking forward to exploring new markets next year as we launch our busiest calendar year yet. In February we return to Dubai for the fourth edition of SiGMA Eurasia, followed by a return to South Africa for our third event in the African markets. 

Naturally we're also back in Sao Paulo and Manila. Since launching in 2023, the event has been extremely well received and is one of our 3 largest events globally. The third edition takes place from 7th to 10th April 2025 at Sao Paulo´s Transamerica Expo Centre and is expected to welcome 18,000 delegates - a significant increase on this year´s numbers (14,000), with over 3,000 operators, more than 2,000 affiliates and an expert-led line up of 300 speakers. In light of this we´ve significantly expanded the footprint of our floorplan for next year's event, adding over 11,000sqm of extra space through the addition of 2 new halls. 
We then head to Manila in June, where a double decker floor plan brings additional space for the land-based community to exhibit. We round off the second half of the year with SiGMA Euro-Med in September, which will be held in Malta from the 1st to 4th September, followed by SiGMA Central Europe which heads to Italy from the 23rd to 26th of November and Colombo, Sri Lanka 30th to 2nd December."

Finally, Emily said: “In addition to our main shows we will also host a number of retreats, including the recently announced affiliate retreat in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, which takes place in the run up to Euro-Med, as well as one for the land-based community in Manila, taking place during the SiGMA Asia event”.