Colombo welcomes back SiGMA for its second South Asia event
Following a successful launch in Sri Lanka last year that recorded a 94% overall satisfaction rate amongst delegates, SiGMA South Asia will rejoin the global gaming event circuit with a second summit later this year. Heading back to Colombo, the event will take place in the city’s newly built Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, from November 30 to December 02.
With 88% of surveyed attendees indicating they would return to the Colombo summit, SiGMA South Asia 2026 is expected to attract over 3,500 international delegates, including industry leaders, government officials, regulators, and representatives from South Asia’s top gaming and land-based companies.
Scale and demand: A Billion-Dollar market
This is set to be a prime opportunity for an industry eager to tap into the rapid growth in tourism and gambling entertainment being enjoyed across South Asian markets. Sri Lanka’s government has pledged strong support for the country’s emerging gaming sector, positioning it as a key driver of investment, tourism, and digital innovation. Just last year, the country hit 2M in tourists, many of whom hail from India – which, according to the Blask Index, has recorded peak engagement levels of 67.3 M between April 2025 and March 2026. The milestone figure is already translating into stronger casino performance.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, has said that authorities are committed to creating an environment that supports the industry as it expands and that the government will play an active role in supporting local and international stakeholders. This is also manifested through the further development of Colombo Port City, an initiative expected to attract tech companies looking to establish operations in the region.
The minister also highlighted Sri Lanka’s position in a shifting global environment, describing the country as a stable and neutral base for digital businesses. “Sri Lanka is playing a very strong, politically neutral space where all businesses, especially digital businesses, can have their presence,” he said.
Last year’s summit, which was backed by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism, was well received by the industry, its first day of conference opening to the news that the Sri Lankan government had officially launched its Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA).
The Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, which seeks to create a single, independent authority to oversee all gaming and gambling activities, was passed in Parliament on 19 August 2025 and later certified by Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne on 3 September 2025, finalising its passing into law as Act No. 17 of 2025.
The SiGMA Asia report, published in May, also reveals strong activity in Southeast Asia, with the region now accounting for a large share of high-engagement markets. And with brands such as 1xBet and Stake operating across more than 20 Asian markets, summits such as SiGMA lead the charge for stronger cross-border operations. 150 expert speakers join tracks that tackle hot topics such as localisation, regulation, and payment integration.
SiGMA Poker Tour closes calendar with Colombo
In 2026 the SiGMA Poker Tour will make its debut in South Asia for the first time since launching. The Colombo event is the last in a long lineup of tournaments this year, following events in Brazil, Malta, Manila and Mexico. A detailed agenda is expected to be released in the coming weeks, so keep your ear to the ground by following SiGMA’s official channels.
Join us for SiGMA South Asia 2026
For more information on the event, including sponsorship opportunities, visit the SiGMA website, or reach out to our customer care team online. Haven’t registered yet? Tickets are now open, with great deals for early birds. Operators and affiliates who qualify register for free.
