Interviews with SiGMA (2025)
We had the pleasure to video interview Richard Wanigasekera, the Head of the Nexus Program, Heathcliff Farrugia, the Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Emily Micallef, the Chief Enterprise Officer (CEO) of SiGMA.
We had the pleasure to video interview Richard Wanigasekera, the Head of the Nexus Program, Heathcliff Farrugia, the Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Emily Micallef, the Chief Enterprise Officer (CEO) of SiGMA.
Date: November 5, 2025
Location: SiGMA Europe 2025 (Rome)
Date: November 5, 2025
Location: SiGMA Europe 2025 (Rome)
Date: November 5, 2025
Location: SiGMA Europe 2025 (Rome)
Richard Wanigasekera is the Head of Nexus, SiGMA's new executive program. Nexus was created for the many CEOs, founders and business owners who attend SiGMA events and represent the brands on the show floor.
Over the last decade, SiGMA has built a strong reputation and attracts a powerful decision maker audience at its conferences. Nexus is the next step in this journey. It is a dedicated line of content and experiences for C level executives who want more focused value than a standard expo pass can offer.
“We have great content, but now we are creating a specific line of content for the C level audience.”
The goal of Nexus is clear. It aims to provide intelligence, thought leadership and high quality networking opportunities within a core group of senior leaders in iGaming and connected industries.
Nexus is designed as a hybrid program that combines online benefits with in person experiences at SiGMA events and other key industry gatherings.
On the online side, members receive access to a series of content packs. These include:
These materials are meant to support the work of executives between events, helping them stay informed and prepared when they make important business decisions.
The live event experience is just as important. SiGMA has eight events planned for the next year, and Nexus is present inside this calendar. The program builds on what SiGMA used to call the C level concierge service, which gave senior executives special passes and support to encourage them to attend.
This concierge idea is now expanded. Nexus members will benefit from services such as:
One of the strongest parts of Nexus is the elite networking events that sit inside the SiGMA show experience. These are not open to everyone. They are high end, very exclusive gatherings with a small, curated guest list.
The idea of these Nexus events is simple. They are relaxed, without pressure and without aggressive sales pitches. The focus is on creating a space where senior executives can get to know one another on a personal and professional level.
“There is no pressure, no sales. It is just about getting to know one another on a very senior level and increasing their network.”
By keeping the group small and carefully selected, SiGMA wants to make sure that every conversation has potential. The program is built for leaders who want meaningful connections and strategic discussions, not just casual chats at a busy booth.
At the time of the interview, Nexus was at a very early stage. SiGMA Central Europe in Rome, part of the SiGMA Europe 2025 series, serves as the official brand launch for Nexus.
During the event, SiGMA is inviting potential members to register their interest. There is a dedicated page on the SiGMA website where executives can apply to join the program. After reviewing the applications, SiGMA will contact approved members with details about the first Nexus events.
The team is still curating the exact program, but Richard explains that they expect to have an activation around Christmas, followed by a major Nexus focus at the SiGMA Eurasia show in Dubai in February next year.
“We are curating the program at this point, but we are very likely to have something around Christmas, and the main thing will be around the Dubai show.”
While Nexus starts with a strong focus on the C level audience from operators, the full vision of the program goes further. SiGMA has structured Nexus into three main tiers that reflect the different communities around its events:
The first vertical is the B2C operator side, which is the core starting point. These are the companies operating brands in different markets. There is also room for suppliers to sponsor some of the Nexus events and get closer to this group.
The second vertical is B2G. SiGMA has built strong relationships with governments and regulators, especially through its presence in Malta. The B2G division has been growing fast, and the Nexus program gives this group high level events and access to targeted intelligence.
The third vertical is focused on affiliates. Affiliates are central to the iGaming ecosystem, and SiGMA has a very strong connection to this community. However, Richard points out that it is not useful to treat affiliates as one big block.
“It is very hard to generalize and say affiliates. There are subgroups. There are larger companies and there are individuals, and their requirements are very different.”
Nexus is built for the top tier of affiliates, the ones who are already sending significant traffic and who want to connect with brands at a higher level. This may include unique deals, strategic agreements, or even discussions about acquisitions and long term direction.
Across all three pillars, Nexus has one clear focus.
“Either way, it is all about connection. That is where it all begins.”
Although Nexus is born inside the SiGMA ecosystem, it is not limited only to SiGMA events. Richard explains that the target audience of Nexus also attends other major expos and conferences in the industry.
For this reason, SiGMA is planning to run satellite Nexus events around competitor expos as well. This allows the program to stay close to the community even when they are at other gatherings, and to offer continuity across the full industry calendar.
More detailed information about the event roadmap and locations will be released by the end of the year.
Because Nexus is designed as an exclusive executive club, there has to be a clear idea of who can join. At the same time, SiGMA does not want to create a system that feels unfair or closed.
“You do not want to exclude people, but you also do not want to crowd what is an exclusive club.”
There will be different requirements for each of the three groups.
There is a qualification system, but at this stage there is no public, fixed template. Instead, SiGMA is taking a case by case approach. Applications will be reviewed with respect, and the team will look at how each executive or company can contribute to Nexus and benefit from it.
Executives who want to know more about the Nexus program are invited to contact Richard directly. During the interview he shares his email address, richard.w@sigma.world, and notes that he is happy to speak with interested candidates and guide them through the next steps.
In his closing message, Richard describes SiGMA as a dynamic and fast growing company that plans to continue expanding in the global event space. Different regions have different needs, so the Nexus program is not meant to be a single, one size fits all solution.
“We are going to have many regional specific audiences. The Nexus program is not a catch all system. We really want to respect these diverse groups and create a program that serves everyone equally.”
Nexus is open to executives from around the world, not only English speakers. Richard encourages anyone who feels they fit the profile to submit an application and begin the conversation.
“Whether you are an English speaker or not, do not think twice. Make the application. We can always figure out how to help you and how to serve you as a senior executive or as a senior affiliate.”
His final note is an invitation. SiGMA and the Nexus team are ready to talk, review applications and build a network that helps top leaders connect and grow. He thanks viewers for their time and hopes they enjoyed SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome.
Heathcliff Farrugia is the Chief Operating Officer of SiGMA and the former CEO of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). In this interview he explains how Malta built its reputation, the realities of licensing and player protection, how ADRs work in practice, and why SiGMA is investing in B2G to bring regulators and the industry closer.
Heathcliff highlights the first mover advantage as the key reason Malta became attractive for regulated gaming. When Malta introduced one of the first EU regulatory frameworks, startups and established operators gained a way to launch in a regulated manner rather than operating without clear rules.
“Malta was one of the first EU states to regulate, and that first mover advantage drew operators who wanted to do things properly.”
Licensing is a detailed exercise. Beyond the application form, companies must document ownership, source of wealth and source of funds, and satisfy technical requirements on data, payments, and player protections.
“Any regulator does more than issue a license. You must also be in line from a technical perspective before you can offer services to players.”
Protecting players is a core purpose of every regulator. Requirements cover session controls, affordability checks, harm reduction, and proactive measures using risk patterns, increasingly with the help of AI.
“If a player’s pattern resembles that of a problem gambler, operators are bound to act before harm occurs.”
Alternative Dispute Resolution bodies exist because some complaints were not handled well in the past. Today, EU regulators require operators to use an ADR. A player first contacts the operator; if unresolved or perceived as unfair, the case goes to the ADR for an independent assessment.
“ADRs are independent and ensure a fair judgment on every player complaint.”
Technology moves fast and regulation can lag. Heathcliff recommends objective based regulation rather than prescribing specific technologies, so rules remain relevant as solutions evolve.
“Regulate the objective, not the specific technology, so both operators and regulators have flexibility while keeping things fair.”
Across the EU, licensing is not easy. Expect thorough checks, including internal assessments like the TAR review on prospective applicants. Submitting an incomplete application can double the timeline as regulators request missing items.
As SiGMA’s COO, Heathcliff also leads international and government relations under the B2G banner. The goal is to bridge the gap between the industry and public bodies by inviting governments and regulators to SiGMA shows, creating panels and structured networking that foster mutual understanding.
“The industry, suppliers, and regulators should live closer to each other to regulate properly and address real needs.”
He sees strong potential in Latin America and Africa. In Brazil, for example, as national rules took shape in 2025, the state began to see tangible benefits like tax revenue and clearer oversight over an already active market. Africa is also progressing with state by state regulation.
“Once regulation is full and proper across a region, you start seeing real change.”
Regulation remains the path forward. Objective based rules help innovation, robust safeguards protect players, and ADRs keep the system fair. With B2G, SiGMA aims to connect industry and regulators so that frameworks reflect how the market really works.
Emily Micallef leads SiGMA Group as CEO. In this interview she explains SiGMA’s four verticals, the global show calendar, why side events matter, how the Foundation and media arm grew, and why smart regulation is the future of the industry.
“SiGMA divides into four separate verticals.”
SiGMA runs events in eight countries: Dubai, Cape Town, São Paulo, Manila, Malta, Rome, Sri Lanka which is moving to Bangkok, and a new show launching in Mexico next year.
Across all shows, attendance is about 100,000 people. In Rome alone there are four stages and around 300 speakers, with programming running three days per stage.
“We have in total around 100,000 attendees over all of the events.”
From the beginning the goal was to bring the three core groups together in one place – operators, suppliers, and affiliates. Emily notes that events often focused on two out of three. SiGMA set out to put everyone under the same roof.
“Let’s have one event with everybody under the same roof.”
It is more than an expo and talks. The show is built around curated side events and networking:
“There is always something to do at SiGMA.”
Anyone from gambling and technology will find value. Emily highlights the bridge with AI and crypto payments where many new opportunities are emerging.
The SiGMA Foundation launched during Covid and has grown into eight projects worldwide, including schools in Africa and a women empowerment program.
The media arm expanded to provide unbiased information and to promote the industry the right way so that people get the news that matters.
“It has become a massive part of SiGMA.”
Emily stresses that regulation is key. Without it, gambling still happens but without player protection. SiGMA works closely with governments and regulators, inviting them to events and promoting regulatory best practice.
“If you do not regulate a region gambling will still happen. It will just happen under the table with zero protection for players.”
Better regulation focused on punishing the black market while avoiding overregulation that adds heavy bureaucracy for compliant companies.
“Regulation is the way to go but do not over encumber the companies doing the right thing.”
SiGMA is adding a second Americas event, bringing the calendar to two in Europe, two in the Americas – São Paulo in South America and Mexico in North America – and two in Asia – Manila and Sri Lanka. With Africa and Dubai as well, the year is balanced with about one event every six weeks.
“We will have a very well balanced year with one event every six weeks.”