Tap into one of the largest gaming markets in Europe

In 2025, SiGMA Central Europe will be held in Rome, Italy—a strategic move that positions the event in one of Europe’s most promising markets for gaming. Join us in Rome from the 3rd to 6th of November. 

All roads lead to Rome

From the Roman empire to the Renaissance, the eternal city has long been a nexus for innovation and entrepreneurship. The country´s trajectory is hugely exciting. Still home to some of the greatest academics, scientists, and artists, the country has all the makings to become Europe’s next gaming hub.

Rome has also emerged as a top European city for digital entrepreneurship and startup growth. Italy, the continent’s fastest-growing country in venture capital investment, has seen funding soar. Initiatives like the Houses of Emerging Technologies underscore the nation’s commitment to fostering groundbreaking ideas, making Rome a prime destination for financial and technological advancement

Europe’s next gaming hub

Italy represents the largest untapped online gambling market in Europe, with total gambling revenue reaching €16 billion. Currently, only 25% of this market operates online, leaving €12 billion in offline revenue waiting to be unlocked. As player preferences shift online, Italy presents a rare opportunity for operators ready to expand in a high-potential, lucrative market. SiGMA Central Europe will be at the centre of this transformation, driving industry innovation and fostering essential connections for businesses eager to explore new opportunities.

Italy’s online gambling industry is set to achieve a revenue of €2.89 billion in 2024, reflecting a robust growth trend in the sector. According to Statista, Italy’s online gaming industry also has an anticipated annual growth rate of 5.52 percent from 2024 to 2029, and the market is expected to reach €3.78 billion by the end of the forecast period. This growth includes a projected revenue of €1.54 billion for the online casino segment alone in 2024. 

Italy’s growing startup ecosystem

Italy is rapidly cementing its position as a leader in Europe’s venture capital landscape, earning a spot among the top 10 countries for VC investment. While much of Europe faced stagnation or decline in venture funding, Italy defied the trend, experiencing a remarkable surge in investment from €1.1 billion in 2021 to €2.3 billion in 2022. The momentum continued into 2024, with €1.195 billion raised in just the first three quarters, signaling growing confidence in the Italian startup ecosystem.

Over the last decade, Italy’s startup sector has undergone an impressive 11x expansion, bringing the cumulative value of its startups to $60 billion. This growth reflects the emergence of a new generation of tech founders driving innovation in diverse fields. The top-performing segments in 2024 include deep tech, focusing on transformative areas such as generative AI and space technology.

This wave of progress positions Italy as a beacon of technological innovation and a hub for ambitious startups, showcasing its potential to lead Europe’s next generation of high-impact industries.

The Fiera Roma

Fiera Roma is one of Europe’s largest and most important exhibition centers, renowned for its futuristic design by architect Tommaso Valle. Situated within a multifunctional district, it features 10 state-of-the-art, pillar-free pavilions spanning 150,000 square meters of indoor space and 40,000 square meters outdoors. The Conference Center includes 13 meeting rooms accommodating up to 3,000 attendees, while the entire venue hosts up to 60,000 participants. In addition, the venue can also accommodate 7000 parking spaces.

Connected and central

Hosting SiGMA Central Europe in Rome also offers the advantage of easy accessibility, thanks to its 2 main airports; the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, better known to air travellers as Fiumicino (FCO), and Ciampino. The airport is connected to Rome via the Leonardo Express, and is just 8 minutes away from the Fiera Roma venue, itself an easy 30 minutes from the city centre by taxi. The Tuscolana, Tiburtina, and Ostiense train stations run directly to the Fiera Roma, stopping right in front of the venue. Tickets are affordable at just €1.50.