On the cusp of its first decade, the SiGMA Group has released a special documentary to mark its 10 year anniversary celebrations. 

Charting SiGMA’s monumental journey, from humble beginnings in 2014 to an events calendar boasting no less than 6 events held across 5 continents, the documentary explores the keystone moments shaping its growth trajectory. Familiar industry faces also feature, including Emirati ambassador Sara Al Madani, Hanson Robotics’ humanoid robot, Sophia, and serial entrepreneur and marketing maverick Gary Vee.

As SiGMA Group Founder, Eman Pulis remarks, “The mantra of our company is to go global but always act local.” 

Watch the documentary in full:

A trusted authority in the industry, and a bridge between international markets, the SiGMA Group is a global events and media organisation focusing on the gambling, affiliation, and emerging technology sectors. Its unified platform blends education, regulation, innovation, and entertainment – empowering businesses for sustainable growth and providing opportunities for players, operators, and regulators to converge. 

Following the roll out of a global roadmap, SiGMA has become a catalyst for change by strategically organising summits and conferences across diverse markets. This influence extends beyond the event itself, paving the way for collaborative efforts that lead to meaningful regulatory advancements in the regions SiGMA operates in.

“You don’t get that kind of exposure at other events, the calibre of people that are involved in these events, ” confirms Emirati entrepreneur, Dr Sara Al Madani.

More than just a conference

The addition of licences throughout the USA and a series of freshly inked partnerships have defined a new era for the company. The acquisition of the Brazilian iGaming Summit (BIS) marked an inaugural foray into Brazil with SiGMA Americas, while a strategic investment in Affiliate World has opened doors for SiGMA’s gaming community – bringing them closer to some of the world’s top affiliates. A recent partnership with iGaming Academy will focus on developing SiGMA’s educational arm.

A cornerstone of SiGMA’s growth strategy also encompasses the Group’s charitable arm, the , emerging tech brand AIBC, B2C brand SiGMA Play, and Ikigai Ventures, a UK-based VC fund.

Commenting on the importance of incorporating philanthropy into the way SiGMA operates, Emily Micallef, CEO for SiGMA Group, says, “To tie it [the Foundation] to our events the way we do – we have the charity auction during the awards dinners – is a brilliant thing, because we’re encouraging our clients to give back at the same time.”

Join the SiGMA World Tour 2024

The SiGMA Group 2024 lineup includes global locations such as the (Dubai), (Cape Town), the (São Paulo), (Manila), (Budapest), and (Malta). SiGMA currently operates with offices in five countries: Malta, Cyprus, Serbia, Brazil, and the Philippines. 

Here’s to a decade of growth and new beginnings – visit SiGMA.world to see where we’re heading next.

Michigan’s iGaming and mobile sports betting industry has been on a meteoric rise, setting new records in revenue generation. In March 2024, the industry witnessed a significant leap, with gross revenue jumping 17.7 percent from February. This surge marked the second consecutive month of record iGaming revenue for the state.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported that iGaming and mobile sports betting in the state generated a staggering $257.1 million in gross revenue in March. This figure not only represented a 17.7 percent increase from February’s revenue but also set the highest revenue record for 2024.

In the same month, Michigan, also known as the Great Lakes State, surpassed its previous iGaming revenue record of $188 million set in February, posting an impressive revenue of $215.2 million. This achievement underscores the growing popularity and success of iGaming in the state.

In addition to the iGaming sector, the gross sports betting receipts for March also saw a significant increase. The receipts climbed from $30.5 million in February to $41.9 million. The total mobile sports betting handle also rose by 19.3 percent from February, reaching $480.4 million. According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, the combined total adjusted gross receipts for iGaming and mobile sports betting in March were $221.1 million. Of this total, iGaming generated $194.5 million, while sports betting contributed $26.7 million.

The success of Michigan’s iGaming and mobile sports betting industry is not only beneficial for the operators but also for the state. In March, operators submitted $41.1 million in taxes and payments to the state of Michigan. The record-breaking performance of Michigan’s iGaming and mobile sports betting industry in March 2024 is a testament to the state’s thriving digital gaming landscape. It reflects the industry’s potential for growth and the increasing acceptance of digital gaming among Michigan’s residents. As the industry continues to evolve and innovate, it is poised to set new records and contribute significantly to the state’s economy.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced a lifetime ban on This decision came after an investigation revealed that Porter had not only bet on NBA games but also provided confidential information about his health to other gamblers. This incident has brought the issue of sports betting into sharp focus, particularly as it continues to surge in popularity.

Porter’s actions were a clear violation of NBA rules. He provided confidential information to bettors, limited his participation in one or more games for gambling purposes, and placed bets on NBA games. The NBA alleges that ahead of Toronto’s March 20 game, Porter (pictured above), gave information about his health status to one bettor. Another person, who Porter knew, bet $80,000 that he wouldn’t hit a statistic set by an online sportsbook. Porter subsequently took himself out of that game, claiming he was ill.

The NBA’s investigation revealed that Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using an associate’s account. These bets totaled $54,094, with Porter receiving net winnings of $21,695. Importantly, none of the bet Porter placed included games in which he played. The NBA’s investigation into Porter remains open, and more findings could potentially emerge.

This incident is part of a broader trend in professional and collegiate sports. Several athletes have been implicated in betting probes in recent years. The rapid legalization of sports betting in many states has led to concerns about its impact on professional sports. , began investigating Porter after identifying several irregular bets involving him.

There was increased betting interest on props involving Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., in January. On that day, he played just four minutes before leaving due to an aggravated eye injury. The under hit for all of Porter’s props, according to ESPN, while DraftKings Sportsbook said the under for Porter’s made 3-pointers was the biggest money winner for bettors of any NBA player props that day. Following Toronto’s game against the Sacramento Kings on March 20, Porter’s props were again the biggest money winner for NBA player props on DraftKings.

This scandal has also brought attention to the issue of prop bets in college sports. NCAA President Charlie Baker called for a nationwide ban on college prop bets last month, following a series of collegiate coaches and athletes linked to illegal betting probes. More than a dozen charges were filed last August against Iowa State University and University of Iowa student-athletes who allegedly bet on games in which they played. However, the charges were later dropped amid concerns that authorities tracked betting activity without a warrant.

The gambling watchdog U.S. Integrity flagged unusual betting involving University of Alabama baseball games last year, later resulting in head coach Brad Bohannon’s ouster. The NFL suspended 10 players last year, after an investigation determined they violated the league’s gambling policy by either betting on NFL games or non-NFL games while at league facilities. Calvin Ridley, then the wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, was suspended for a year in 2022 after he placed bets on games that included the Falcons.

The last NBA player to receive a lifetime ban was Jalen Harris, who was banned from the league in 2021 after he violated its anti-drug policies. His ban was reversed in 2022. Tyreke Evans also received a lifetime ban for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policies. The Porter case serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls of sports betting, and the need for stringent regulations to maintain the integrity of the game.

In the first three weeks since , residents wagered over $659 million, according to a report released by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission (NCSLC). This report, which compiles the sports wagering activity for March, provides a fascinating insight into the impact of legalized sports betting on the state’s economy and society.

From March 11 to March 31, North Carolinians wagered $659,308,541 on sports events, including paid and promotional wagering revenue. From these wagers, they won $590,750,303. The gross wagering revenue for March, which is the less the amounts paid as winnings before any deductions for expenses, fees, or taxes, was $66,496,213. State law imposes an 18 percent tax on the gross wagering revenue generated by sports wagering activity.

The tax proceeds from gross sports wagering revenue are allocated according to the law as follows:

• $2 million annually to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) for gambling addiction, education, and treatment programs.
• $1 million annually to North Carolina Amateur Sports to expand opportunities in youth sports.
• Up to $300,000 annually to collegiate athletic departments at 13 state universities.
• $1 million annually to the North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission for grants to help cover the cost of travel to in-state or out-of-state sporting events and to attract amateur state, regional, area, and national sporting events, tournaments, and programmes.
• Certain reimbursements to the NCSLC and the NC Department of Revenue (NCDOR) for expenses incurred to implement and administer the new law.

Any remaining proceeds are distributed as follows:

• 20 percent evenly among the 13 state universities to support collegiate athletic departments.
• 30 percent to a new North Carolina Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund to foster job creation and investment in the state.
• 50 percent to the state’s General Fund.

The legalization of sports betting in North Carolina has also necessitated the creation of new rules and regulations to govern the industry. The deadline to comment on the rule-making process for the third set of wagering rules is Friday, 19 April. These rules include changes such as the elimination of the use of “Wagering Lounge” for “Wagering Facility,” the introduction of international criminal history record checks triggered by residency, and the clarification of the treatment of seized winnings from voluntarily excluded players.

The process also contains two new proposed rules. The first proposal sets a deadline for licensees to respond to a formal letter of inquiry from the commission, which will likely be used in investigations where there are specific questions and possible requests for documents from licensees. The second proposed rule addresses the inspection of wagering facilities, both pre-operational and subsequent inspections.

The legalization of sports betting in North Carolina represents a significant shift in the state’s approach to gambling. The rapid growth in wagering activity, the substantial tax revenue generated, and the societal impacts of this change are all areas that warrant further analysis and discussion. As the state continues to navigate this new landscape, it will be interesting to see how these developments shape the future of sports betting in North Carolina.