On November 5, 2025, the President of the European Parliament, Hon. Roberta Metsola, officially inaugurated the SiGMA Central Europe summit in Rome. This event marks a significant milestone as it makes its debut in the region, and Metsola delivered a progressive message aimed at Europe’s gaming, tech, and digital innovation sectors.
During her keynote, Metsola underscored the importance of unity and innovation for the continent. Prior to her speech, she engaged with several influential Maltese figures such as H.E Daniel Azzopardi, Malta’s Ambassador to Rome; Ivan Filetti, CEO of GamingMalta; and Keith Zammit, CEO of Elevate AI. Addressing the delegates and exhibitors, she warmly declared, “Europe is your home,” and described it as a “place of the future” that is committed to facilitating an environment where innovators can thrive more efficiently and securely.
Metsola praised the event, asserting, “It is great to open SiGMA, right here in Rome, the heart of Europe,” and described the gathering as “one of the biggest of its kind in the world.” She recognized the participants as “the building blocks of next generation Europe,” highlighting their critical role in shaping the continent’s future.
Reflecting on SiGMA’s beginnings, Metsola expressed pride in Malta’s contribution to the summit. She fondly remembered her university days with Eman Pulis, the founder of SiGMA, stating, “I’m more than a little proud that it started in my island home of Malta.” She applauded the transformation of Pulis’s idea from a nascent concept into a global platform, noting that Malta’s innovation-driven ecosystem serves as a model for Europe’s burgeoning iGaming and tech industries.
Turning her focus to the broader digital and gaming landscape in Europe, Metsola emphasized that the sector’s success is a testament to the European approach. She stated, “Balance between growth and responsibility is what makes Europe unique,” stressing that this balance instills predictability for investors, builds trust with users, and fosters creativity without leaving anyone behind. However, she cautioned against the challenges posed by fragmented regulations within the continent. “Regulation in Europe is essential, but remains too fragmented,” she noted, illustrating how differing licensing regimes and advertising rules among member states hinder companies from scaling effectively.
Metsola proposed the idea of a 28th regime, which could function as an optional European framework to unify the market while respecting national choices. “Europe cannot run on nostalgia,” she urged, calling for bold thinking and innovation-focused policies. Businesses, she emphasized, need both freedom and clarity to thrive. “I want the European way to mean something clear: innovation and not over-regulation, implementation and not unnecessary bureaucracy, and delivery, not red tape.” She further asserted that smart regulation should target those who break rules, not those who comply, allowing businesses to concentrate on growth instead of excessive paperwork.
In her vision for the future, Metsola highlighted Europe’s robust talent pool, boasting more AI and tech professionals per capita than the US and nearly triple the number in China. Nonetheless, she acknowledged that funding remains a significant challenge. To tackle this, she announced plans to mobilize €200 billion for AI and digital industries and to strengthen the Savings and Investment Union, aimed at unlocking capital for startups and SMEs expanding across Europe. “The opportunities in the wider digital economy are enormous,” she concluded, encouraging those driving tech and digital creativity to persist, reassuring them that Europe supports their ambitions.
In the context of global competition, other experts offer a different perspective. While the initiative to unify regulations is praised, they argue that a one-size-fits-all approach might not consider the unique market dynamics of individual member states. Some industry analysts worry that the proposed 28th regime could face resistance from countries wishing to maintain regulatory sovereignty. They suggest that a more flexible framework, allowing countries to adopt certain guidelines voluntarily, might be a pragmatic approach. Additionally, the mobilization of significant funding is seen as a promising step; however, the efficient allocation and access to these funds by smaller enterprises is highlighted as a potential hurdle that needs addressing.
Overall, Metsola’s speech at SiGMA Central Europe underscored a commitment to fostering a dynamic and unified digital landscape in Europe. Her call to action for smarter regulation and investment in innovation sets the stage for ongoing dialogue and development within the gaming, tech, and digital sectors, as Europe seeks to assert its position in the global market.
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