Novomatic Italia at SiGMA World 2026: The Value of Dialogue to Build the Future of the Sector

In an ever-changing landscape, the future of the sector is built through technological innovation, but above all, through open and constructive dialogue among businesses, institutions, operators, professionals, and stakeholders. This exchange is rooted in responsibility, transparency, and active listening—essential elements for promoting sustainable, people-centric development.

Against this backdrop, representatives from the NOVOMATIC Group actively contributed to the debate by taking part in numerous panels and in-depth sessions dedicated to some of the industry's most pressing challenges.

Key contributions included:

• Markus Buechele, CEO of NOVOMATIC Italia, in the panel "Retail + Online: Competitors or Parts of the Same Ecosystem?"
• Mara Di Lecce, Communication & Marketing Director, in the panels "Public Gaming: Maintaining Accurate and Balanced Information with Respect for Journalistic Integrity" and "Real-Time Player Monitoring: How Intervention Systems Work"
• Raffaele Gnazzi, CEO of ADMIRAL Pay, in the panel "Payment Innovation Against Illegality and Money Laundering"
• Marco Calosci, Corporate Communication & CR Manager, in the panel "One Brand, Two Worlds: Responsible Gaming Between Retail and Online"
• Ombretta Di Monte, AWP Sales Director of NOVOMATIC Italia, in the panel "AWP and VLT: A Market of Social and Economic Value to Protect"
• Davide Diodato, Managing Director of HBG Online Gaming, in the panel "The New Regulatory Regime for Online Gaming in Italy: One Year Later"

The Group's Voices at the Heart of the Debate

In the panel dedicated to the evolving relationship between the physical and digital channels, Markus Buechele highlighted how the integration of retail and online represents a strategic opportunity for the entire sector: "We are moving toward an ecosystem where technology, security, and the customer experience mutually reinforce one another," emphasizing the value of omnichannel not only in terms of innovation, but also regarding player protection and experience quality.

Addressing the representation of the industry, Mara Di Lecce underscored the importance of balanced, fact-based reporting: "Public gaming requires accurate and unbiased information," highlighting the role that media, institutions, and operators can play in fostering a more informed understanding of the regulated gaming industry.

Speaking on player monitoring and prevention tools, Mara Di Lecce also emphasized the evolution of the approach to responsible gaming: "We must move past outdated slogans to build a pact of trust between operator and customer," championing the role of training, human touch, and digital solutions in promoting mindful gaming habits.

Responsible Gaming Panel Across Retail and Online

In the panel dedicated to responsible gaming across retail and online, Marco Calosci stressed the need for consistent communication throughout the player's journey: "The player is one," noting how tools and messages must be recognizable and uniform regardless of the channel used, and highlighting how the "Usa la Testa" (Use Your Head) campaign was specifically developed to guide consumers toward more conscious choices.

On the topic of payment systems and the prevention of illicit activities, Raffaele Gnazzi pointed out the need for greater regulatory harmonization and increasingly close collaboration among operators, institutions, and tech providers: "Clear rules are needed to prevent money laundering and ensure a transparent, secure, and efficient payment ecosystem." His contribution reiterated how innovation and compliance must go hand in hand to guarantee market integrity and reliability.

During the panel focused on the social and economic value of the AWP and VLT sectors, Ombretta Di Monte called attention to the necessity of preserving a balance between the industry's diverse demands: "A balance between social and economic sustainability is vital to secure the future of the AWP sector." This reflection underscores the importance of reconciling consumer protection, the upholding of legality, and the business sustainability of companies operating within the regulated market.

In the discussion regarding the new structure of online gaming in Italy, Davide Diodato highlighted the opportunities created by the new regulatory framework: "Today, we can return to doing what matters most: listening to our customers," pointing out that investment, innovation, and a focus on player needs are key drivers for the sustainable development of the sector.

From technological innovation to consumer protection, and from accurate information and payment systems to the evolution of responsible gaming and the omnichannel model, the insights shared by the Group's representatives offered concrete perspectives on some of the major challenges reshaping the future of the regulated gaming industry.

Participation in these discussions reaffirms the Group's commitment to actively contributing to the growth of the sector by providing expertise, experience, and a vision oriented toward responsible innovation. For NOVOMATIC, dialogue with stakeholders remains a fundamental tool for understanding market evolution, tackling new challenges, and fostering the development of solutions that are increasingly effective, sustainable, and aligned with the expectations of institutions, operators, and consumers alike.