iGaming Podcast

In this SiGMA podcast, Trevor De Giogio interviews Stefano Sbordoni, Managing Partner of Sbordoni & Partners, on the sweeping reforms to Italy’s gaming concessions. The discussion explores new compliance measures, responsible gaming requirements, the end of white-labelling, and the evolving debate surrounding sports sponsorship.Discover more insights: https://sigma.world/news/watch-stefano-sbordoni-on-gaming-concessions-in-italy/𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐆𝐌𝐀'𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zsBVGiIkYRyZt9AaGUtkg?si=b24f1528d00c4098𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

Italy is no longer an “emerging” gambling market - it’s entering a new era of maturity, regulation, and high stakes. In this episode, Trevor De Giorgio, Regulatory and Compliance Specialist, speaks with legal expert Giulio Coraggio, Partner at DLA Piper, about what the next chapter looks like for operators, regulators, and investors.💡 Key insights you’ll take away:- Why Italy is raising the cost of gambling licenses to €7M—and how this move is designed to filter out smaller or unprepared companies.- What PVRs (top-up points) are, and why shops, bars, and tobacconists are becoming crucial for reaching players in a country where gambling ads are banned.- How Italy’s advertising ban created loopholes and unintended advantages for unlicensed operators.- Why regulators are banning “skins” (multiple websites under one license) to improve trust and transparency.- The timeline for when the new rules will fully kick in by 2026, and what this means for the industry.👉This episode will help you understand why Italy is now considered Europe’s second-largest gambling market and why only the strongest, most strategic operators will succeed there.📅 All this comes just ahead of SiGMA Europe in Rome (3–6 Nov 2025), a key event for anyone following the future of gaming.

Can gaming executives really be held personally liable for money laundering, financial crime, and compliance failures? In this episode of Decoding Gaming Law, Dr. Franklin Cachia, Head of Legal at BDO Malta, speaks with Dr Stefano Filletti, Senior Managing Partner, Filletti & Filletti Advocates, to break down:✅Why the corporate shield no longer protects directors✅How negligence and oversight failures can lead to fines or even prison✅The growing risks in cross-border gaming operations✅Best practices to safeguard yourself through strong compliance𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐆𝐌𝐀'𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zsBVGiIkYRyZt9AaGUtkg?si=b24f1528d00c4098𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

In this episode of Poker Face, Ivonne Montealegre sits down with Julien Liarte, Business Development Manager at Flutter Entertainment plc., to discuss what goes on behind the scenes of major live poker events like the European Poker Tour (EPT), the return of EPT Malta, and the growing role of women in poker. He also shares insights on charity work, event logistics, and how poker players can transition into the iGaming industry.From player stories to poker logistics, Julian breaks down what really happens behind the felt.

This episode of Decoding Gaming Law, hosted by Dr. Franklin Cachia, Head of Legal at BDO Malta, features an in-depth discussion with Charles Mizzi, CEO of the Malta Gaming Authority, on the evolution of gaming regulation.Charles shares how the MGA has shifted focus from rapid growth to sustainable quality, embracing innovation like AI and blockchain while maintaining robust compliance standards. The conversation highlights MGA’s collaborative work with global regulators, the proactive compliance culture emerging post-FATF grey list, and how the regulator balances business-friendliness with accountability.Plus, get insights into what’s next for Maltese gaming law. A must-listen for gaming operators, legal professionals, and anyone interested in the future of gaming regulation!

In this episode of Poker Face, host Ivonne Montealegre welcomes Antoine Degiorgio, founder of the Malta Poker Fish community and a key entrepreneur behind the rise of live poker in Malta. Antoine shares his journey from grassroots community-building to becoming a neutral ambassador for all major poker events on the island, including the SiGMA Poker Tour, Malta Poker Festival, and Battle of Malta. Antoine reflects on Malta’s rise as a poker hub, the impact of the iGaming industry, the return of PokerStars, and the island’s unique poker culture. He also shares insights on charity events, industry challenges, and advice for new players. A must-listen for anyone curious about Malta’s growing poker reputation.𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐆𝐌𝐀'𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲➡️ https://spoti.fi/42NmUji𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲➡️ https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

In the latest episode of the SiGMA Poker Face podcast, our host Ivonne Montealegre speaks with Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO of EvenBet Gaming, on key developments in the online poker industry. They discuss effective player retention strategies, including the use of daily bonuses and engagement incentives to reduce bonus abuse.Starostenkov provides insights into EvenBet’s strong market position in Asia, particularly in India, and examines evolving player expectations that blend competitive gameplay with enhanced social interaction and entertainment.Explore more about SiGMA Poker Tour➡️ SiGMA Poker Tour - SigmaPlay𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲➡️ https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

In this edition of SiGMA Poker Face, brought to you by EvenBet Gaming, Ivonne Montealegre sits down with one of the most influential and respected voices in the poker industry, Rebecca McAdam Willetts, Founder, QueenBHive. She shares her journey from casual home games to becoming a leading advocate for women in poker, promoting inclusivity and responsible representation. Rebecca also reflects on her recent induction into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame, the challenges of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and how poker's lessons in resilience and risk-taking translate beyond the table.Don't miss this exclusive conversation packed with industry insights, personal stories, and a look at the future of women in poker.Explore more about SiGMA Poker Tour➡️ ⁠SiGMA Poker Tour - SigmaPlay⁠𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲➡️ https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

This episode of Decoding Gaming Law features a conversation between Gaming Lawyer Dr. Franklin Cachia Betsson Group. They unpack the latest legal and regulatory developments in the global gaming industry and discuss how new licensing regimes, stricter advertising restrictions, and evolving taxation models are reshaping the operational landscape for gaming operators worldwide.Dario shares practical contract law advice, stressing clear terms, aligned governing law and jurisdiction, and precise forum selection to prevent disputes. He also notes that major operators favor preemptive legal strategies to reduce reputational and regulatory risks.

In this episode of Decoding Gaming Law, Gaming Lawyer Dr Franklin Cachia speaks with Serafino Vaccino, AI Legal Lead at EveryMatrix, to discuss the challenges of data privacy and AI in the online gambling industry. He addresses how GDPR and other privacy regulations impact game developers, highlighting the importance of implementing privacy by design and data minimization from the outset. Vaccino clarifies the broad scope of personal data, the extraterritorial application of GDPR, and the implications of AI-powered automated processing on data subject rights. The conversation also covers the increasing risks of data breaches, including cyberattacks, and their consequences for both operators and players.

In this episode of the Decoding Gaming Law podcast series, Dr. Franklin Cachia, Gaming Lawyer, is joined by Dr. Malcolm Falson, Partner at Camilleri Preziosi, specialising in capital markets and gaming law. The discussion focuses on the strategic considerations for gaming companies contemplating going public through an initial public offering (IPO). Malcolm explains the benefits of listing, such as access to capital for growth, research, and talent acquisition, as well as the reputational prestige it brings.

This episode of the SiGMA Pokerface Podcast features David K. Lappin, a professional poker player, who shares how he turned poker from a passion into a career and the challenges of maintaining that balance with everyday life. In this conversation, David discusses the process of transitioning from a recreational player to a professional, the highs and lows of making poker a sustainable career, and how he navigates the inevitable challenges of balancing the poker grind with his personal life.

In this episode of SiGMA Poker Face, powered by EvenBet Gaming, Ivonne chats with Martina Akerlund, CEO & Founder, Elevated Edge, and explores leadership, career reinvention, and the evolving iGaming industry. Martina reflects on her bold transition from a 20-year career in banking to launching her own venture in a highly competitive sector. They also discuss the role of authenticity in leadership, the rewards of taking calculated risks, and the vital importance of emotional intelligence in business and poker table.

The new episode of the Decoding Gaming Law podcast series, in collaboration with CSB Group and hosted by Dr. Franklin Cachia, Director at CSB Group, features Timmy Borg Olivier, Senior Manager – International Taxation at Deloitte Malta.In this episode, Dr. Cachia and Borg Olivier discuss key developments in international tax law over the past decade, with a particular focus on their impact on the gaming industry. Key topics include the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative, the introduction of Pillar One and Pillar Two, and the shifting tax landscape in Malta. Additionally, the discussion covers the implications of transfer pricing regulations, digital services taxes, and the broader shift toward greater tax transparency and compliance.

The second part of the Decoding Gaming Law podcast series in collaboration with CBS Group, hosted by Dr Franklin Cachia, Director of CSB Group, featuring Dr JP Gauci-Maistre, managing director of Guaci-Maistre Xynou.Since the last episode, two landmark Maltese court decisions ruled that foreign claims against Malta-based gaming operators cannot be enforced due to public policy grounds and Article 56a of the Gaming Act. The conversation then highlighted the ongoing legal uncertainity within the EU gaming industry, however more decisions are expected in the future, including one due in May.

Join Dr. Franklin Cachia, Director at CSB Group, and Dr. Claudio Caruana, General Counsel at GiG, in the latest episode of Decoding Gaming Laws Podcast as they explore the ever-evolving world of gaming regulation. From Brazil’s long-awaited online betting regulations to the UAE’s new licensing regime, this episode breaks down the forces driving regulatory changes and the challenges of ensuring a safe, legal gaming environment.

In this episode of the Decoding Gaming Laws Podcast, brought to you by CSB Group, host Dr. Franklin Cachia, Director at CSB Group, is joined by Dr. Ian Gauci, Managing Partner at GTG. Together, they explore the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the gaming industry. From streamlining game development to enhancing player safety, AI is redefining how games are created and experienced. Dr. Ian emphasises the AI Act, upcoming regulations, and the potential risks and rewards of AI integration in gaming. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the future of gaming in the age of AI.

Ivonne Montealegre, Poker Tour Operations Manager at SiGMA Group, makes her podcast debut with PokerFace, a platform dedicated to sharing personal stories and insights from the poker community. In the opening episode, she sits down with Lukas Robinson, widely known as RobinPoker, to reflect on his journey in online poker, streaming record, and his new role as the ambassador for the SiGMA Poker Tour.Lukas opens up about the challenges and triumphs of his career, shedding light on his strategies, streaming success, and the vibrant community he has built. He also expresses his excitement about collaborating with SiGMA Group and the opportunities this new chapter presents for his poker career.

In this episode of the SiGMA Podcast, host Trevor De Giorgio sits down with Reuben Portanier, Advisory & Compliance Partner at GTG. They discuss the evolution of Malta’s gaming industry, key challenges like European court cases, and the future of the B2C model. Reuben also shares the impact of SiGMA on networking and business opportunities. "HSBC Malta exit will not impact gaming sector" - Reuben Portanier

In this episode of the SiGMA Podcast, Trevor De Giorgio is joined by Pauline Saliba, Executive Secretary at the National Coordinating Committee in the Combating of Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism, to discuss Malta's journey concerning money laundering evaluations, particularly its experience with the greylisting process.