Gaming industry in Malta experienced a wonderful moment last week with the celebration of the SiGMA Europe event, in its 9th edition. With 25,000+ attendees, the summit was a perfect combination of the showcasing of the latest technologies, premium networking experiences, keynote addresses, panel discussions, different awards and cultural exchanges. Besides the main show, AIBC Summit, Affiliate Grand Slam and Med-Tech World also took place in parallel.
Breathing life into a brand new venue at the Mediterranean Maritime Hub (MMH), the SiGMA Malta exhibition floor was a true labyrinth of impressive industry opportunities and spectacles. Boasting two stages, an expansive open-air food court and more stands than ever, the MMH was a succinctly fitting venue for all the event had to offer.
Many of the speakers at Malta Week can most certainly be described as being outstanding in their industry, with their expertise, high level of insight and understanding. Alexandre Tomic (Founder and CEO of Alea), Uri Poliavich (CEO of Soft2Bet), and Darryl Manning (CEO of Wicked Games) were some of the most relevant experts at the show.
Honorable arrivals
The nation’s Prime Minister, Robert Abela, attended the conferences and visited the abundance of stands showcasing all the innovations being perpetuated across the most cutting-edge organizations in the sector. He noted that the event proves that Malta is a center of excellence in the iGaming world, with SiGMA being a powerful contributor to the nation’s economy. He was also joined by Hon. Silvio Schembri MP, Malta’s Minister for Economy,
Important exhibitors had a wonderful display of solutions, including as 1xBET, 22Bet, Alea.com, Altenar, Amusnet Interactive, Atlas IAC, Aviatrix, BetConstruct, Betsson Group, Betwinner, BGaming, Boomerang Partners, Digitain, DS Virtual Gaming, EGT Digital, EvenBet Gaming, Evolution (at the Royal Malta Golf Club), Finrax, GGPoker, GR8 Tech, IREV, Mancala Gaming, Mascot Gaming, Pascal Gaming, Pay4Fun, Paysafe, Pin-Up Partners, Pinnacle, Pragmatic Play, Soft2Bet, SOFTSWISS, Spribe, Tom Horn, and Wise Gaming, among others.
This year’s, Malta Week also saw the much-anticipated return of the SiGMA Pitch Competition, a victory taken with joyous enthusiasm by 8BIT Gaming. The start-up’s product displayed the quality, innovative strength and nostalgic intent to be deemed the best on the SiGMA stage by a panel of esteemed judges. The AIBC Europe Pitch was also in attendance, with SharkGate emerging victorious.
Networking and entertainment
SiGMA’s flagship meeting also coincided with another headlining event in CFC16 “Mursa” by Centurion FC MMA. The Roberto Gallo-led fight promotion afforded a great number of SiGMA’s eager delegation the opportunity to attend the cumulative event in the Centurion Calendar. The event showcased a two-fight, Co-main event, the first bout of which saw the ascension of a new Light Heavyweight Champion when Rafael Carvalho defeated Marcelo Alfaya.
The 4-man Grand Prix tournament then concluded the show in ecstatic fashion when Filipe Douglas fought through two bouts, ultimately sealing a victory via unanimous decision which saw him crowned King of Malta at Ta’Qali Basketball Sports Pavilion.
Aside from the plethora of premium networking opportunities afforded to SiGMA’s delegation through event evenings’ dinners and iGatherings, there was much more fun to have during the expansive show’s duration. An intriguing challenge was set at HighRoller.com’s free-to-enter, charity Poker Tournament, which set a bounty on so of more higher profile players and delegates.
The SiGMA Cup 5-a-side tournament at Luxol Sports Club proved to be an energetic thrill for all involved, as did the 6K fun run which took delegates from Valletta’s Grand Excelsior Hotel across the storied Maltese capital. A slower pace did not mean less exuberant as a VIP Golf tournament was hosted at the Royal Malta Golf Club, courtesy of SiGMA Play. Malta’s captivating capital was revealed in all her glory through a Land and Sea tour of the historic settlement, a UNESCO World Heritage site in its entirety.
Awards expansion
This event served as a cumulative summit for all those who have made an impact on the industry throughout the year. So successful has the industry been this year that it was only fitting that not one, but three awards nights were hosted to adequately celebrate all that has been achieved.
The award evenings this year were categorized by achievements in either B2B or B2C industries for the very first time at a SiGMA event, with an anticipated return afforded to the SiGMA Streamers Awards. The AIBC Europe Summit also brought its own awards night to the Casino Maltese.
The summit’s immense success in no small way extended to the Group’s philanthropic arm, the SiGMA Foundation. Each of these gala events would subsequently host a charity art auction which would see a terrific level of support gifted to the Foundation’s selfless endeavors to the tune of over €130,000. The SiGMA Foundation is a shining example of what can be accomplished when a group of passionate individuals come together for a common cause. A bright 2024 is now in store for the Foundation, with profoundly impactful projects in Colombia, Ethiopia, Chile and Morocco lined up for the coming calendar year.
Although 2023 is over for SiGMA, great events await in 2024, with unmissable gaming industry meetings. Next one will be SiGMA Eurasia. Dubai will be the host yet again for the much-anticipated conference and exhibition on February 25-27th, 2024.