By Olivier Acuña Barba

Copyright euroweeklynews

The global gambling sector stands as a colossus in the entertainment economy, blending thrill, technology, and commerce on an unprecedented scale. As of 2025, the overall market revenue is projected to exceed $700 billion, encompassing casinos, lotteries, sports betting, and online platforms, according to industry analyses from ResearchAndMarkets and the Business Research Company.

While “market cap” isn’t typically applied to the entire sector like a single stock, the aggregate valuation of publicly traded gambling firms—such as MGM Resorts, Flutter Entertainment, and DraftKings—surpasses $200 billion (169 billion euros) on global exchanges. Online gambling alone, the fastest-growing segment, is valued at around $88 billion (74 billion euros) in 2025, per Custom Market Insights, driven by mobile accessibility and regulatory liberalisation.

Participation is equally staggering: an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide engage in some form of gambling annually, from casual lottery players to avid online bettors. This figure spans demographics, with Statista forecasting 200.3 million active online users by 2030. Growth projections paint an even brighter picture. The total sector is expected to swell to $1 trillion (854 billion euros) by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7 per cent, fueled by emerging markets in Asia and Latin America.

Leading the charge

Online gambling will lead the charge, reaching $153.57 billion (129 billion euros) by 2030 at a robust 11.9 per cent CAGR (Grand View Research), and potentially $152.7 billion (128 billion euros) by 2035 with a 6.75 per cent CAGR (Market Research Future). User numbers are set to climb 20-30 per cent by 2030, as smartphone penetration hits 7 billion globally, drawing in younger, tech-savvy demographics. This expansion isn’t just monetary; it’s reshaping economies, creating jobs, and sparking debates on regulation and responsible gaming.

Amid this surge, SiGMA Central Europe emerges as the pinnacle event, cementing its status as the world’s largest iGaming gathering. Powered by REDCORE, the inaugural Rome edition from November 3-6, 2025, at the cutting-edge Fiera Roma venue, promises to blend high-stakes business with the Eternal City’s allure.

With over 1,000 sponsors and exhibitors from gaming and tech sectors, and 30,000 delegates anticipated, it dwarfs predecessors—SiGMA’s attendee count has ballooned from 1,500 in 2014 to this milestone. “Rome’s debut will redefine global gaming summits, fusing innovation with Italy’s untapped potential,” notes a SiGMA spokesperson, highlighting the event’s forward-thinking ethos.

Expectations run high for groundbreaking innovations. Attendees will explore four conference stages, delving into AI-driven personalisation, blockchain for secure transactions, VR-enhanced casinos, and sustainable practices amid regulatory shifts. Sessions on crypto gambling and esports betting will spotlight Europe’s digital frontier, with Italy’s 16 billion euros market—where online revenue is just 25 per cent but growing 5.52 per cent annually to €3.78 billion by 2029 (Statista)—as a focal point. Networking galas, including the Hall of Fame awards honouring industry pioneers, will recognise B2B and B2C trailblazers. A highlight: an exclusive concert by Plácido Domingo on November 5 at the Auditorium della Conciliazione, blending culture with commerce.

The growth of the event is indicative

This event’s newsworthiness is undeniable. As the sector hurtles toward trillion-dollar status, SiGMA Central Europe spotlights Europe’s largest untapped online market in Italy, attracting global operators eyeing expansion. Rome’s centrality—bolstered by Fiumicino and Ciampino airports, efficient metros, and buses—makes it an accessible hub for 60,000-capacity Fiera Roma, already 75,000 square metres sold out. Beyond business, delegates can indulge in “La Dolce Vita”: Michelin-starred dining at spots like Imàgo (Colosseum views) or Pipero Roma’s innovative carbonara, fashion hauls on Via dei Condotti amid Fendi and Bulgari, and cultural gems from the Colosseum to the Capuchin Crypt’s eerie artistry.

Six reasons underscore Rome’s perfection: its connected transport; massive market potential; heritage-meets-modernity vibe (Sistine Chapel to street art in Trastevere); vibrant nightlife with aperitifs and Tiber cruises; “Made in Italy” luxury from bespoke tailoring to bohemian workshops; and Fiera Roma’s expansive, pillar-free pavilions for creative exhibits. As SiGMA evolves into a global leader, this Rome launch signals the industry’s maturation—transparent, innovative, and irresistibly pleasurable. Secure tickets now at SiGMA.World before prices rise; the Eternal City awaits.