Forbes Italia and SiGMA Partner for Gaming Summit in Rome

The Italian capital is set to become the focal point for discussions on the future of regulated gaming this month. Forbes Italia and the SiGMA Group have joined forces to create a platform for dialogue between government, business, and industry representatives at Rome's Campidoglio. On 19 September 2026, the Sala del Carroccio will host an event dedicated to the challenges and opportunities within the market. This meeting is regarded as a strategic precursor to the main SiGMA World summit, which will take place in Rome from 2 to 5 November 2026.

At the heart of the discussions are digital transformation, consumer protection, and the ongoing fight against unauthorized operators. A particular highlight is the presentation of the Forbes Italia Top 50 - Regulated Gaming list. Developed in collaboration with SiGMA, this selection honors individuals who have significantly contributed to the structural development of the legal sector. Rather than a traditional ranking, the initiative focuses on recognizing professionals in the fields of compliance, technology, and responsible gaming.

Numbers and facts

The scale of the planned events highlights the economic significance of the sector. For the main event in November, organizers anticipate more than 30,000 delegates, over 1,000 exhibitors, and around 550 speakers. The economic impact of the previous edition on the local economy is estimated at approximately €100 million. Notable participants in the September program include Mariano Angelucci, Heathcliff Farrugia, and Sergio D'Angelo. Representatives from the Italian gaming association SAPAR will also be present to discuss the Vision 2030 program.

Eman Pulis, founder of the SiGMA Group, emphasizes the necessity of close cooperation between stakeholders. The initiative aims to demonstrate how technology and regulation can work in tandem. Artificial intelligence and modern payment systems play a crucial role here. The objective is to ensure that the Italian market, one of Europe's largest, remains sustainable and secure.

"The partnership with Forbes Italia reflects the need for closer collaboration between industry participants, technology providers, and regulators." - Eman Pulis, Founder of SiGMA Group

Background

Italy is considered a pioneer in European gaming regulation but faces constant challenges due to technological change. The Vision 2030 program seeks to provide answers on how regulators can respond to evolving consumer behavior. A central theme is the strict separation between state-licensed companies and illegal platforms. The cooperation between a prestigious business magazine like Forbes and an event organizer like SiGMA illustrates that gaming is increasingly perceived as an integral part of the digital economy.

Why it matters for German players

While this event primarily focuses on the Italian market, the topics of regulation and player protection are highly relevant for German customers. The German Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) pursues similar goals to the Italian regulations. In Germany, the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) ensures compliance with strict rules, including the €1,000 monthly deposit limit and the €1 stake limit per round on virtual slots. International summits like these often serve as blueprints for EU-wide standards. When artificial intelligence for the early detection of gambling addiction is debated in Rome, these findings often eventually find their way into the requirements for German providers. For players in Germany, it is vital to use only casinos listed on the GGL whitelist, as only they guarantee connection to the OASIS exclusion system and the LUGAS monitoring system.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German operators with a GGL license must continuously adapt to new technical standards. Exchanges at events like SiGMA World highlight which innovative payment methods or verification processes are already successful in other regulated markets. Given that Germany has implemented very strict monitoring with the LUGAS system, such international forums offer the chance to discover efficiency gains in compliance. A casino with a German license competes directly with the black market, making technical innovations in player protection a key differentiator. The trends in the fintech industry and payment services discussed in Rome are also essential for the German market to keep legal offers attractive yet secure.