SiGMA 2019 took place between the 27th and 29th November 2019 in Malta, welcoming leaders from the iGaming industry from 80+ countries. This was the 6th edition of SiGMA, which has become the definitive iGaming event and a key indicator of the industry’s latest developments.
The event attracted 12,500 attendees across three days with 400 exhibitions and sponsors, and talks from 200 industry speakers – not to mention a host of networking opportunities.
Here are the key takeaways from SiGMA 2019.
Key takeaways from SiGMA 2019
Naturally, over the course of a three-day event, there were a lot of insights to be had from SiGMA 2019, but some takeaways stood out above the rest. In particular, discussions about new technologies, industry trends and emerging markets made for the most exciting talking points for attendees seeking a stronger understanding of where the iGaming industry is heading.
Luckily, we’ve got a recap of the insights that mattered most.
- Pay N Play takes off: Exhibitor Trustly unveiled their Pay N Play registration system a few years ago and they have now said that 100 major brands have adopted the technology that provides a quick deposit-based registration system allowing users to start playing sooner and reducing the number of users who quit the session before depositing any money.
- Adapting to regulations: With growing concerns over issues like money-laundering and responsible gambling, regulations are always expected to change and brands need to adapt to these in order to remain compliant, while the wider industry also needs to adapt to prevent growth from suffering.
- A lot of blockchain talk: As we’ve seen in recent iGaming events, blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies were a common topic of discussion at SiGMA 2019. Amidst a swathe of promotion in favour of the technology and all the potential it holds, Acquirex.io founder Stephen Quinn acknowledged that the average user knows very little about blockchain technology and likely doesn’t care about it. Companies pushing the technology need to clearly communicate and demonstrate the benefits the technology can bring to the end user, otherwise, it will merely provide an extra layer of complexity.
- Southeast Asia’s gateway to China: Simon Eaton had a key lesson for those eyeing up China as a major market, suggesting brands turn to smaller markets in Southeast Asia before taking the full jump into China. He personally likes Thailand and Vietnam a lot and he also feels excited about India, even if it has less in common with the Chinese market.
- Africa’s emerging market: The other key market development talked about at SiGMA 2019 was Africa. Speaking during the “New Frontier: Africa” workshop, Martin Sack offered his experiences of operating across the continent and praised its growth potential for brands looking to secure their place in an emerging market.
In terms of market developments and trends to keep an eye on, those were the key takeaways from SiGMA 2019. New payment methods, regulations, the role of blockchain technology (which still remains unclear) and approaches to cracking emerging markets are the topics that matter most for the iGaming industry right now.
What next for SiGMA in 2020?
With the 2019 calendar coming to a close, SiGMA is turning its attention to next year’s events in Malta and the Philippine capital, Manila. The event organisers are promising more of the festival atmosphere attendees enjoy so much about SiGMA events. If you’re interested in attending either event in 2020, your best bet is to follow SiGMA on social media for the latest updates.
If you’re not able to attend then you can always follow us for all the latest iGaming developments and a summary of next year’s events.