SiGMA World 2026 in Rome: regulation, Italy's new online licensing regime and industry trends. What it means for anyone launching a casino or sportsbook.
From 2 to 5 November 2026, Fiera Roma hosted SiGMA World, the second Italian edition of the summit run by SiGMA Group. The organisers' theme was clear: "Advancing Regulated Gaming". If you are weighing up launching an online casino or sportsbook, the show said a lot about where the market is heading. Below we line up the facts, taken from official sources and the trade press, and add our view as a white-label platform builder.
The numbers and format of the Rome edition
At the official presentation at Rome's City Hall, SiGMA announced more than 30,000 delegates, over 1,200 exhibitors and sponsors, more than 550 speakers and 65 regulators or regulatory representatives from several continents for the 2026 edition. These are figures the organiser announced before the event, not final attendance data. According to SiGMA, around 85% of attendees were expected to travel from abroad.
The expo ran across nine halls, with five themed stages covering finance, affiliate marketing, land-based gaming, emerging tech and the Italian market, plus areas for sister brands AIBC and AGS.
A calendar change
On 5 November came a notable announcement: SiGMA will move its Rome edition from November to May, to spread Europe's three big shows more evenly (ICE Barcelona in January, SiGMA in May, SBC Lisbon in September). Exact dates have not been announced yet.
The core debate: Italy's new online gaming regime
For anyone looking at Italy, the most concrete topic was a review of the online licensing reform, roughly one year on.
From about 90 to 46 licences
In the panel "Italy's New Online Gaming Regime: One Year Later", held on 3 November on the Italy Stage, executives from Microgame, Stake Italy and HBG Online Gaming discussed a deeply restructured market: according to SiGMA News, licences fell from about 90 to 46. The market is more consolidated and offers a clearer basis for investment, but several questions remain open.
The next milestone: 15 February 2027
The date to watch is 15 February 2027, when the new technical rules are expected to take effect. The panel raised the risk that some operators reach that deadline with incomplete product portfolios, and shared the view that the legal offer must stay competitive against the illegal one. As the moderator noted in closing, it may take all of 2027 to see what the new market really looks like.
The role of ADM
On 4 November another panel looked at the role of ADM, Italy's Customs and Monopolies Agency. As reported by PressGiochi, lawyer Stefano Sbordoni argued for greater decision-making autonomy for the Agency and a clearer separation of institutional responsibilities, noting that a fortnightly dialogue between ADM and online licensees is already in place.
The awards: casino, sportsbook and mobile
On 2 November, at the Corsie Sistine, the SiGMA World Awards were held across 35 categories. Among the winners named by SiGMA: Campeon Gaming as Best Casino 2026, 1xbet as Best Sportsbook 2026 and 1xslots in the Best on Mobile 2026 category. For the first time, Italian categories were also split into a dedicated ceremony, the SiGMA Italia Awards, scheduled for 5 November, with categories reflecting the continued weight of land-based gaming in Italy (AWP, VLT, venue technology).
The signal for operators is clear: casino, sportsbook and mobile experience remain the three pillars the market uses to judge a brand.
What it means if you want to launch a casino or sportsbook
Here is our reading, as a team that helps operators and agents launch their own brands every day.
1. Compliance is no longer a detail
The edition's theme and the number of regulators involved say the same thing: the market rewards those who work in regulated environments. Before choosing a platform, be clear about which market you want to operate in and which technical and licensing requirements apply there. The platform has to fit those rules, not the other way round.
2. The game catalogue matters more than ever
If even licensed operators worry about reaching new technical rules with an incomplete offer, the product portfolio is decisive for a new brand. Broad game aggregation, with reliable providers integrated into a single platform, cuts time and complexity compared with one-by-one integrations.
3. Sportsbook and casino together
Separate awards for best casino and best sportsbook confirm that players expect both experiences. Integrating a sportsbook into the same environment as the casino, with one account and one wallet, is now a standard rather than an add-on.
4. Mobile first
Best on Mobile is not a side award: mobile is the main channel for most players. A fast, clear, mobile-first platform makes the difference in retention.
5. Engagement and live content
Player experience and technological innovation were on the agenda. Features such as live streaming of sports events help keep players on the platform while they bet.
6. Timing: plan now
With Italy's 15 February 2027 deadline and the next SiGMA moving to May, the coming months are the right time to define your strategy, market and technology partner.
FAQ
When and where was SiGMA World 2026 held?
From 2 to 5 November 2026 at Fiera Roma, Via Portuense 1645, Rome. The next Rome edition has been announced for May, with dates still to be confirmed.
What changes for online gaming in Italy in 2027?
According to the discussion at SiGMA World, the new technical rules of the licensing regime, which cut licences from about 90 to 46, are expected to take effect on 15 February 2027.
Does a white-label platform replace a licence?
No. The platform provides the technology (casino, sportsbook, game aggregation, management tools); licensing requirements depend on the market you operate in and should be checked with qualified advisers.
Can I launch a casino and a sportsbook together?
Yes: with a white-label solution, casino and sportsbook can run on the same platform with a single player account, and you can add modules such as live streaming.
Ready to launch your brand?
If SiGMA Rome convinced you it is time to move, let's talk. Explore our white-label solution or contact us: we will help you work out which mix of casino, sportsbook and streaming fits your project.