The Italian-Cypriot Chamber of Commerce participated institutionally in SiGMA Central Europe, held in Rome from November 3 to 6, 2025, an event that represented an important platform for discussion for the gaming industry and the European digital economy.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola opened the conference with a clear message: “Europe cannot run on nostalgia—we can’t cling to old ways and expect new results.” This forward-looking vision perfectly aligned with the Chamber’s commitment to innovation-driven cooperation between Italy, Cyprus, and the Mediterranean region.
The event placed particular emphasis on the importance of legal and responsible gaming as a strategic sector for the European economy. The Undersecretary at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Federico Freni, in his speech on November 5, emphasized that “the gaming market is growing and regulatory priorities must follow this expansion, ensuring an adequate level of player protection.” Freni highlighted that “it is essential to treat the market as an industry, and not as a marginal reality,” reiterating that in Italy gaming operates under State concession and that sector growth must be “administered” growth, with increasingly advanced techniques for protecting and safeguarding both players and business entities.
The event registered significant participation from representatives of various European gaming regulators, demonstrating the importance of international cooperation in the sector. Among the speakers were Anders Dorph, President of the Gambling Regulators’ European Forum (GREF) and Director of the Danish Gambling Authority, who outlined European regulatory perspectives and enforcement priorities, and Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). Particularly relevant was the participation of the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), represented by Dr. Antonio Giuliani, in the panel “Voices of Authority: Inside Europe’s Regulatory Roundtable,” which brought together leading European regulators to discuss regulatory harmonization and consumer protection in the gaming market.
President Giuseppe Marino, as AML & Financial Crime Expert, participated in two important panels.
In the panel “Crypto, Gaming & AML: Beyond MiCA,” together with Torben Gregers Friis, Lara Barbuto, Sofia Maria Cucciniello, and Joseph F. Borg, President Marino explored the regulatory landscape beyond the MiCA framework, emphasizing that businesses must consider compliance not as a cost, but as an integral element of sustainable growth.
In the panel “Inside Cybercrime: Collaborative Strategies to Tackle AI Fraud, Deepfakes & Cross-Border Threats,” together with Michael Raag, Michael Mallia, and Anna Badaeva, emerging threats requiring international collaboration and innovative defense strategies were addressed.
The event strengthened the importance of cooperation between Italy, Cyprus, and the Mediterranean to support gaming sector businesses operating at the intersection of innovation, compliance, and sustainable growth, within a new regulatory and normative context.
The Chamber‘s participation confirms its commitment to promoting a legal, responsible ecosystem compliant with the highest European regulatory standards, contributing to the development of an industry with truly significant numbers in terms of contribution to the gross domestic product of various States.
For information about this article and the activities of the Italian-Cypriot Chamber of Commerce: segreteria@camcomitacipro.it
Last modified: November 24, 2025