When India turned its online gambling market black almost overnight and Brazil became the world’s largest regulated market, the gaming industry was forced to adapt fast.

Italy’s new online betting regime is reshaping one of Europe’s largest gaming markets, setting a higher bar for compliance, capital, and competitiveness. Under the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) framework, only 46 operators have advanced to Stage 2 of the licensing process, a clear sign that this is no longer a market for the faint-hearted. 

At this year’s SiGMA Central Europe in Rome, one of the standout gatherings was the Brunch & Connect event, a relaxed yet sharply curated networking session that brought together industry experts. The event blended Italian hospitality and industry dialogue in an informal atmosphere. 

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, opened SiGMA’s inaugural Central Europe conference in Rome, calling for a more integrated and innovation-driven European economy.

Evoke has announced the resignation of Lord Jonathan Mendelsohn as chair and non-executive director with immediate effect, ending a five-year tenure defined by corporate overhaul and regulatory challenge. 

When gaming operators venture from grey markets into regulated territory, many assume the hardest part will be the paperwork.

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) welcomed a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) confirming that the European Commission failed to properly investigate whether the Netherlands granted unlawful state aid when it renewed gambling monopoly licences in 2014 without a competitive tender.

The Game Lounge executive team led by CEO Richard Dennys are in full force at SiGMA Central Europe in Rome this week, joining regulators, policymakers, operators, affiliates and tech leaders for three days of high-level talks on gaming, betting and innovation across Europe. 

Let’s be honest, this isn’t the kind of headline you expect in a serious iGaming publication. It sounds more like the start of a Tinder chat than a data strategy piece! But in truth, it’s the perfect metaphor for the future of our industry: because trust in data, in partnerships, in players, is built on one thing above all else: transparency.

Here are Game Lounge’s top picks and practical tips to help you navigate SiGMA Central Europe 2025 with ease — from seamless badge collection to can’t-miss networking events across Rome. 

This Halloween, the Game Lounge team turned up for Spookathon 2025 - our very own hackathon initiative that brought ideas, energy, and just the right amount of spooky fun to the office.

The Crypto and blockchain space is evolving rapidly, and Europe is currently at the forefront, according to Dr Joe Borg in a conversation with Richard Dennys. Discussing recent developments in Crypto regulation, Borg highlighted the impact of the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.