6 Reasons Rome Will Shine as SiGMA Central Europe’s Host City

Key Takeaways:

• Rome makes history by hosting SiGMA Central Europe 2025 for the first time – expect 30,000 delegates and over 1,000 exhibitors to take over the Eternal City.
• Italy’s gambling market is experiencing a surge – it’s Europe’s long-awaited awakening, and everyone is eager to participate.
• Fiera Roma features 100,000 square metres of space, and they’re giving exhibitors extra setup time.

In November, SiGMA Central Europe will make its debut in Rome. The event, supported by REDCORE and hosted at the modern Fiera Roma exhibition centre, anticipates hosting more than 1,000 sponsors and exhibitors from gaming and technology industries in a conference that combines professional networking with entertainment. Running from November 3–6, the summit expects to draw approximately 30,000 attendees, potentially making this first Rome edition one of the world’s biggest gaming conventions ever held.

Here are the six reasons that make Rome the perfect location for this gathering.

1. Connected and Central

Rome sits perfectly in the heart of Europe, making it refreshingly easy for attendees to reach from just about anywhere. Two international airports keep the city well-connected – Fiumicino handles the big international flights, while Ciampino welcomes budget carriers and regional connections. Once you’re here, getting around is surprisingly straightforward. The city runs three metro lines, plus buses, trams, and trains that reach even the outer neighbourhoods where locals live. This means participants staying anywhere from the historic centre to the suburbs can make their way to the venue without too much hassle. Best of all, there are plenty of ways to get directly to Fiera Roma – no complicated transfers or confusing connections required.

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino (FCO):

• Distance from City: Approximately 32 km (20 miles) southwest of central Rome
• Primary Function: Italy’s busiest airport and Rome’s main international gateway
• Key Carriers: ITA Airways hub; accommodates most long-distance and international airlines

Ciampino–G. B. Pastine (CIA):

• Distance from City: Approximately 15 km (9 miles) southeast of Rome
• Primary Function: Primarily handles budget airlines and charter services
• Key Carriers: Main base for Ryanair and various low-cost carriers

2. Vast Market Opportunities With Significant Growth Potential

Italy represents a perfect location for SiGMA Central Europe, offering Europe’s biggest unexplored online gambling opportunity. The country’s total gambling revenue reaches €16 billion (ranking second across Europe), yet online channels account for just 25% of this figure, meaning €12 billion in traditional gambling remains ripe for digital transformation.

The digital gambling segment is expected to generate €2.89 billion in 2024 and is expanding at 5.52% yearly, with forecasts indicating it will reach €3.78 billion by 2029 (according to Statista). With consumers increasingly moving toward digital platforms and Italy’s position as a major international financial centre, the market offers exceptional growth prospects for operators looking to expand their presence.

3. Historic Richness Meets Modern Innovation

Rome’s the kind of place where you’ll sip your cappuccino while leaning against a wall that Caesar might have touched, and locals won’t even look up from their newspapers. History here isn’t behind glass cases – it’s your breakfast view, your shortcut to work, your favourite spot for an evening stroll. You could wander for months and still find surprises – turning a corner to face the Pantheon’s perfect dome, tossing coins in the Trevi, or deliberately taking wrong turns near the Colosseum just to see where you end up.

Ancient Landmarks and Classical Art

For art lovers, Rome is basically paradise. The Galleria Borghese feels more like visiting a wealthy friend’s ridiculously beautiful house than a museum, packed with Berninis that seem ready to breathe and Caravaggios that make you stop in your tracks. The Capitoline Museums, one of the world’s first public art collections, proves Romans have been sharing their treasures for centuries. For those interested in more modern works, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna covers Italian creativity from the 1800s onwards. No visit is complete without experiencing the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s ceiling fresco is still causing awe among millions of visitors each year.

Unique and Unusual Attractions

Unusual attractions include the Capuchin Crypt beneath Santa Maria della Convezione dei Cappuccino on Via Veneto, displaying the decoratively arranged bones of more than 3,700 monks. Ancient history comes alive at Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, the Ara Pacis Museum, and Domus Aurea (Nero’s former palace).

Hidden gems await discovery – the Aventine keyhole provides a perfectly aligned view of St Peter’s Dome through the Knights of Malta entrance, offering a unique and cost-free experience. Quartiere Coppede presents an architectural fantasy combining Gothic, Medieval, and Art Nouveau styles in dreamlike fashion.

Contemporary Culture and Arts Districts

Trastevere, San Lorenzo, and Pigneto have become Rome’s creative playgrounds – think street art worth photographing, tiny galleries between coffee shops, and artists working with doors wide open. For something quieter, visit the cemetery by Rome’s unexpected pyramid, where poets Keats and Shelley rest among wandering cats and ancient cypress trees.

Exclusive Cultural Event

Here’s something special: legendary tenor Plácido Domingo is performing at the stunning Auditorium della Conciliazione on 5 November 2025 – right during SiGMA Central Europe. It’s the kind of once-in-a-lifetime evening that reminds you why Rome remains the eternal city of culture.

4. La Dolce Vita

In Rome, they’ve mastered something most cities struggle with – that perfect balance between getting business done and enjoying life. Here, a work dinner naturally flows into aperitifs, which somehow become midnight conversations over perfect pasta, and nobody’s checking their watch. It’s the ideal setting for SiGMA Central Europe, where deals get made over espresso and sealed over Negronis.

Evening Entertainment and Nightlife

Romans have perfected the art of aperitivo – that golden hour when the whole city pauses for a Spritz. After conference days, unwind at hidden speakeasies behind unmarked doors, floating bars on the Tiber, buzzing craft beer spots, or cosy wine bars. From tiny enoteche to sleek lounges, Rome’s nightlife has something for every networking style.

Prestigious Gala Events

SiGMA will present two exclusive award galas alongside various high-profile dining experiences, uniting leaders from both B2B and B2C gaming and technology industries to celebrate companies and professionals driving innovation. The Hall of Game award particularly honours influential individuals whose contributions have shaped a responsible and transparent gaming industry.

Culinary Excellence

Rome’s food scene goes way beyond the tourist-trap carbonara. From tiny trattorias where nonna’s recipes rule to Michelin-starred spots perfect for impressing clients, the city offers endless options for SiGMA networking dinners.

Here are 10 not to miss:

1. Orma Roma – Chef Roy Caceres isn’t afraid to shake things up, mixing Colombian flair with Italian soul in ways that somehow just work.
2. Moma – The kind of place where your carbonara comes looking like art but still tastes like Rome.
3. Imàgo -Perched atop the Hassler Hotel with views that’ll make you forget to Instagram your meal.
4. Aroma – Imagine eating world-class pasta while the Colosseum watches over your shoulder. Yes, it’s as magical as it sounds.
5. Achilli al Parlamento – Their wine cellar reads like a connoisseur’s dream collection, paired with cuisine that rises to match its ambition.
6. Il Convivio Troiani – A family-run spot where creativity meets tradition and everyone somehow wins, especially your taste buds.
7. Idylio by Apreda – Francesco Apreda cooks like he’s painting, in a tiny space near the Pantheon that feels like a delicious secret.
8. Pipero Roma – They’ve turned carbonara into a religion here, and the service makes you feel like royalty.
9. Per Me Giulio Terrinoni – Where seafood gets the respect it deserves, with a chef who cares about where his fish comes from.
10. Glass Hostaria – Trastevere’s answer to “what if dinner was also an art installation?” Surprisingly, it works beautifully.

5. Italian Style and Craftsmanship Excellence

Rome has this wonderful way of making style look completely natural. While Milan gets all the fashion week buzz, Rome is where you’ll find the real Italian approach to dressing: that perfect leather jacket you’ll wear for twenty years, the handmade shoes that get better with age, and the simple dress that somehow looks expensive.

Stroll down Via dei Condotti and you’ll understand immediately – this is Italy’s version of Fifth Avenue, but with more charm. The big names are all here: Fendi has taken over an entire palace as their headquarters, while Valentino, Bulgari, and Bottega Veneta show off their latest in beautiful flagship stores. But the real magic happens in the smaller shops tucked around Campo Marzio and near the Spanish Steps, where you’ll find leather bags so soft you can’t stop touching them and local artisans who learnt their craft from their grandparents.

6. The Fiera di Roma: Room to grow

SiGMA Central Europe will unfold at Fiera Roma, one of Europe’s most impressive exhibition venues. With 100,000 square metres of space, including 10 spacious, pillar-free pavilions and conference facilities for up to 60,000 visitors, there’s plenty of room to network and explore. For the first time, SiGMA will run four conference stages simultaneously – check out the full agenda to see the diverse topics and speakers lined up. The generous 10-day setup period (far longer than typical industry events) lets exhibitors bring their creative visions to life without rushing.

The enthusiasm is undeniable: 75,000 square metres of exhibition space has already sold out, showing how far SiGMA has come. From welcoming 1,500 guests in 2014 to expecting 30,000 delegates in 2025, this growth reflects more than just bigger numbers – it’s about constantly pushing boundaries. Launching in Rome marks another milestone, cementing SiGMA’s place as the go-to platform for gaming professionals worldwide.

Early bird pricing remains available for a limited time. Secure your access to SiGMA Central Europe by purchasing passes through the SiGMA World website before prices increase closer to the event dates.