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From November 3 to 6, SiGMA Europe 2025 transformed Rome into the global capital of iGaming. At Fiera Roma, operators, regulators, startups, and investors gathered to discuss the major technological and regulatory forces shaping the industry.
Among the standout moments was a session moderated by Guilherme Graziani, Oddsgate’s Head of Business Development for LATAM: “Cross-Market Learnings & First-Mover Strategies”, held on November 5 at Stage 3, Affiliate Leaders.
What could have been a traditional regulatory panel became one of the most engaging conversations of the event – lively, practical, and unexpectedly fun, even as it dissected licensing pitfalls, compliance risks, and the increasing complexity of iGaming regulation.
Graziani led an exceptional group of experts who brought deep, operational knowledge from some of the most demanding iGaming jurisdictions worldwide:
Maurizio Soccodato, Founder & CEO – Global Lab
Giusy Campo, Business Development Director – Groovetech
Mike de Graaff, Co-Founder & Chief Compliance Officer – BetComply
Nikolay Georgiev, Audit & Regulations Director – EGT Digital
Together, they unpacked lessons learned in regulated markets such as the Netherlands and Ontario, two jurisdictions whose strict frameworks have become the international benchmark for licensing, KYC, and responsible gaming oversight.
The message was clear: Understanding how to enter a regulated market matters, but understanding what not to do may matter even more.
Markets like the Netherlands and Ontario have become the regulatory blueprint for countries now drafting or tightening their iGaming frameworks.
Below are the main lessons highlighted during the panel.
To obtain an iGaming license in the Netherlands, operators must comply with:
Detailed financial stability proof;
Extensive AML/KYC protocols;
Mandatory integration with CRUKS (self-exclusion system);
A significant financial guarantee deposit;
Strict renewal requirements tied to responsible gaming performance;
Frequent audits of the Control Database (CDB).
Ontario follows a similarly demanding path, with continuous identity verification, stricter source-of-funds checks, and a rapidly narrowing set of advertising possibilities.
Licensing, in these markets, is not merely an approval – it’s an ongoing commitment.
Ontario is leading the way with limitations on:
Athletes;
Digital influencers;
and any Promotional formats that could appeal to minors or vulnerable groups.
Similar restrictions are spreading globally as regulators focus on consumer protection and responsible gaming.
This trend is no longer regional – it’s becoming industry-wide.
Technical audits, responsible gambling protocols, and advertising oversight are quickly migrating to emerging regulated markets.
Countries seeking international credibility are adopting frameworks inspired directly by:
Ontario’s AGCO/iGO model;
The Netherlands’ KSA-driven standards.
For operators preparing expansion strategies, these jurisdictions serve as a predictive model of what future regulation will likely demand.
Entering a newly regulated market early can be highly attractive – offering visibility, partnerships, and market share before competition intensifies.
But the panel emphasized a critical truth:
Early entrants face disproportionate risks:
Sudden regulatory updates;
New advertising bans;
Unexpected KYC tightening;
License revisions or delays;
or even Potential license revocation.
In regulated iGaming environments, even minor missteps in timing or documentation can compromise an entire operation.
A standout theme of the discussion was the shift in how leading operators view compliance.
Not as a burden.
Not as a cost.
But as a strategic differentiator for long-term growth.
High-performing operators invest in:
Continually updated internal compliance policies;
Auditable, transparent platforms;
Scalable and adaptable tech infrastructures;
Proactive relationships with regulators.
The panel’s most potent reminder: “Getting licensed is not the finish line. It is the starting point.”
Regulations evolve. Audits continue. Requirements tighten.
Only operators prepared for continuous adaptation will scale safely.
Graziani’s panel at SiGMA Europe 2025 delivered a clear roadmap for operators evaluating expansion into regulated markets:
Study the “regulatory DNA” of pioneer markets like Ontario and the Netherlands;
Prioritize long-term compliance, not quick wins;
Understand not only the rules, but the red flags;
Expect tighter advertising, deeper audits, and stronger KYC;
Build teams and technology prepared for constant regulatory evolution.
These markets are not isolated examples; they are becoming the global blueprint for next-generation iGaming regulation.
For operators planning sustainable growth, this shift is not a warning. It’s an opportunity and a roadmap.
