6 REASONS ROME WILL SHINE AS SiGMA CENTRAL EUROPE'S HOST CITY

SiGMA Central Europe will head to Rome for the first time in November. Powered by REDCORE, the event, taking place at the state-of-the-art expo venue Fiera Roma, is expected to welcome over 1,000 sponsors and exhibitors from the gaming and tech sectors for a summit that seamlessly blends business and pleasure. With 30,000 delegates estimated to attend through 03 – 06 November, we anticipate our inaugural Rome event will become one of the largest global gaming gatherings to date. Here’s 6 reasons why the Eternal City promises to be the ideal host.

1. Connected and central

Centrally located in Europe, Rome offers an easy gateway to the event, thanks to its two

international airports – the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport and Ciampino–G. B.

Pastine International Airport – providing excellent connectivity for participants

worldwide. Rome also boasts a highly efficient public transportation system, with three

metro lines and an extensive network of buses, trains and trams that reach even the

city’s outermost areas, making it convenient for delegates from important neighbouring

jurisdictions to easily travel to the event. Many of these transit options deliver you right

to the Fiera Roma’s doorstep

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

• Location: Fiumicino, about 32 km (20 miles) southwest of Rome city center

• Main use: Rome’s primary international airport and the busiest in Italy

• Airlines: Major hub for ITA Airways; serves most international and long-haul

flights

Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA)

• Location: Ciampino, about 15 km (9 miles) southeast of Rome

• Main use: Serves mainly low-cost carriers and charter flights

• Airlines: Ryanair and other budget airlines frequently use this airport

Á focus on short-haul flights and proximity to Rome’s business districts make it an efficient option for European travellers on tight schedules.

2. Huge market size and untapped potential

Italy has emerged as an ideal destination for SiGMA Central Europe, driven by its

immense potential as Europe’s largest untapped online gambling market. With a total

gambling market revenue of €16 billion – the second-highest in Europe – only 25%

stems from online platforms, leaving €12 billion in offline revenue largely untapped. The

online sector, projected to reach €2.89 billion in 2024, is growing at an annual rate of

5.52%, set to hit €3.78 billion by 2029 (Statista). As player preferences shift online, and

with Italy’s status as a global financial hub, the country presents unparalleled

opportunities for operators seeking expansion.

3. Heritage with a contemporary vision

Standing at the forefront of government and culture, nowhere combines tradition with

modernity quite as well as Rome. A feast for history lovers, historical landmarks line its

streets, from the lofty heights of the iconic domed Pantheon to the winding streets

home to Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum. The Galleria Borghese, home to silky,

sinewy curves of Bernini, Titian, and Raphaelite muses should be a must stop for art

lovers. The Capitoline Museums – one of the oldest public museums in the world –

hosts a divine collection of Caravaggio works, while the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte

Moderna takes you forward in time to Italian artists from the 19th and 20th century.

Michelangelo fans should also plan to visit the Sistine Chapel – well worth the neck

ache in the morning.

For those seeking something out of the ordinary, the Capuchin Crypt, located beneath

the Santa Maria della Convezione dei Cappuccino on Via Veneto, carefully holds the

artfully arranged remains of over 3,700 Capuchin monks. Meanwhile the ancients hold

court at the Palatine Hill and Roman forum, the Ara Pacis Museum and the Domus

Aurea – otherwise known as Nero’s palace. For more contemporary souls, art districts

such as Trastevere, San Lorenzo, and Pigneto, have an impressive selection from the

modern art world, with street art, galleries, and workshops delivering a bohemian vibe.

For those with an eye for beauty – the Aventine keyhole at the Knights of Malta gate

offers a perfectly framed glimpse of St Peter’s Dome – totally free and delightfullystrange. Alternatively, the Quartiere Coppede, delivers fairy tale meets film noir – a

unique twist that blends the Gothic, Medieval, and Art Nouveau architecture.

Literary lovers should head to the poetic gardens near the Pyramid of Cestius, an

Egyptian-style monument that shelters the final resting place of Keats and Shelley.

Meanwhile, on the 5th November 2025, the iconic Auditorium della Conciliazione will

host an exclusive private concert by the legendary Plácido Domingo. His appearance in

Rome for SiGMA Central Europe promises a night not easily forgotten.

4. Rome: La Dolce Vita

In a city where to be industrious is a way of life you might wonder if the wheel ever stops

turning. The answer is yes, and it starts with an aperitif in Rome’s many nightlife

districts.

From speakeasies hidden away behind secret doors to cocktail barges floating down

the Tiber, there´s something for everyone attending SiGMA Central Europe. For casual

nights out there are plenty of craft breweries, pubs and live music, and for a more

upscale crowd, wine bars dot the streets.

In addition to a series of high level dinners, SiGMA will also host two prestigious gala award ceremonies, bringing an illustrious line up from the B2B and B2C gaming and

tech sectors together for an evening that recognises companies and individuals leading

the charge for change. Hall of Game also seeks to recognise the contribution of

distinguished individuals, with an accolade that honours roles that have been

instrumental in the foundation of a sustainable and transparent industry.Italy is

renowned for its deeply rooted culinary traditions, where distinct regional cuisines have

helped put the country on the map for food lovers.

Bold, simple, and deeply traditional – unapologetically flavourful dishes, such as

Carbonara and Cacio e Pepe, often come to mind (and for good reason), but Rome

offers more than meets the eye when it comes to its food scene.

Gilded pastry shops and rustic trattorias spilling out onto the cobbled Roman streets

segue into the upscale dining rooms of Michelin-starred restaurants, providing plenty of

options for SiGMA Central Europe´s evening calendar of networking events.

Crown jewels in its gastronomic landscape, Michelin-Starred restaurants deliver

indulgent forays into a unique dining experience.

Here are 10 not to miss:

Orma Roma

A bold, international interpretation of Italian cuisine by Chef Roy Caceres, blending

innovation and tradition.

Moma

Chic and creative, Moma offers refined Roman dishes with a modern touch and

seasonal ingredients.

Imàgo

Michelin-starred panoramic dining at the top of the Hassler Hotel, serving elegant, artful

plates.

Aroma

With a view of the Colosseum, this restaurant delivers a luxurious dining experience

with refined Italian flavors.

Achilli al Parlamento

Known for its extensive wine cellar and modern cuisine, this is a go-to for culinary

sophistication.

Il Convivio Troiani

A family-owned gem offering a delicate fusion of creativity and Roman tradition.

Idylio by Apreda

Chef Francesco Apreda’s bold signature cuisine in an intimate, luxury setting near the

Pantheon.

Pipero Roma

A modern Italian restaurant celebrated for its signature carbonara and impeccable

service.

Per Me Giulio Terrinoni

A seafood-driven, innovative kitchen that focuses on sustainability and taste precision.

Glass Hostaria

Trendy and modern, this Trastevere favorite is known for avant-garde Italian cuisine and

interior design.

5. Made in Italy – From fashion to design

Rome’s fashion scene is elegant, timeless, and steeped in heritage. While other cities

are known for edgy, trendsetting fashion, Rome leans toward luxury, craftsmanship,

bespoke tailoring, and classical beauty – rooted in centuries of style and cultural

prestige. lt’s luxurious shopping district draws attention, its streets richly-lined with

iconic fashion houses. Italian brands such as Fendi, Bulgari, Bottega and Valentino,

bring prestige, making it one of the most coveted shopping areas in the world. Rome’s

reputation as a fashion capital is cemented here, with the area attracting fashion

enthusiasts from across the globe. Don´t miss Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana – home to

Fendi’s luxury goods, the Via dei Condotti – Rome’s glittering equivalent of 5th Avenue or

Bond street, and the Campo Marzio & Piazza di Spagna, where high end boutiques are

filled with treasure troves and quality leather accessories.