SiGMA World Rome 2026 brought thousands of people from the global iGaming industry to Fiera Roma. The first day of the main conference programme was full of business meetings, panel discussions, celebrity appearances and eye-catching exhibition booths.
But the day also had one unexpected problem: many attendees reportedly faced poor internet connectivity, with Wi-Fi and mobile networks difficult to use in parts of the venue.
A Strong Start in Rome
The event at Fiera Roma was attended by operators, affiliates, game developers, technology companies, investors and other industry professionals. SiGMA World is scheduled from November 2-5 and is expected to draw over 30,000 delegates over the course of four days.
The exhibition halls were alive with company booths, product displays and networking. Many brands used creative designs to be different and attract visitors.
The conference also tackled some of the biggest issues facing the industry today, from artificial intelligence to international growth and changing regulations.
Football Stars Draw Crowds
One of the biggest attractions was Italian football legend Gianluigi Buffon at the N1 Partners booth. Visitors gathered to see the former goalkeeper, take photos and join the booth’s activities.
Other well-known sports figures were also present, including former Formula One driver Giancarlo Fisichella, former Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga and former footballer Nicola Ventola.
Their appearances gave the business-focused event a lively, celebrity-style atmosphere.
Creative Booths Catch Attention
Several companies went beyond normal exhibition stands to create memorable displays.
Spribe reportedly brought an aircraft inside the exhibition hall, which quickly became a major talking point. BetConstruct also drew attention with a Roman temple-style booth, featuring a replica of the Capitoline she-wolf.
Visitors could also see a real Ferrari 296 GT3 in Hall 7. These displays showed how brands are using major events to create experiences, not just promote products.
Tim Draper Opens With AI Talk
The conference program opened with billionaire investor Tim Draper, founder of Draper Associates. He discussed the impact of artificial intelligence, comparing it to the internet and electricity as major technologies in the past.
Artificial intelligence was much in evidence. Speakers discussed how it could help companies to improve operations, handle work and expand into new markets.
Another big issue was regulation. Panels examined the challenges offshore operators face, new regulations in different countries and the difficulty of growing an iGaming business across borders.
Internet Problems Become a Talking Point
Many attendees had trouble getting internet access, yet the energy on the floor was very strong. Reports said Wi-Fi and mobile service was spotty or non-existent in much of the venue.
The problem made networking more difficult for an international business event where people rely on e-mails, online meetings and mobile apps. Many visitors had to turn to face-to-face conversations instead.
The issue became one of the most talked-about experiences of the day, a particularly unusual one at an event dedicated to technology and digital business.
What Comes Next?
Day 1 set a strong tone for the rest of SiGMA World Rome 2026. The event combined serious industry discussions with celebrity appearances, creative booths and plenty of networking.
AI, international expansion and regulation are likely to remain major themes as the event continues. Despite the connectivity issues, the opening day showed why SiGMA remains one of the biggest meeting points for the global iGaming industry.
Also Read: Final Week: Asia’s Gaming Industry Prepares to Meet in Cebu for SPiCE International 2026
