Blockchain and Disruptive Tech Dedicated Conference at SiGMA

Malta’s annual iGaming week is just around the corner! The team behind SiGMA is gearing up for the largest iGaming show Malta has ever seen, planning conferences, networking dinners, and week full of events. 

With a sold-out floor plan, the week will be jam-packed with wining, dining, networking, and business leads. Main executives and exhibitors showcasing here will include Mr. Green, Blexr, Bet365, William Hill, Better Collective, Poker Stars, Catena Media, Malta Gaming Authority, Cherry, Microgaming, XLMedia, Ladbrokes, and many, many more. Be sure you are in the know with what’s happening the week of November 22nd-25th. 

A conference dedicated to Blockchain and Disruptive Tech will occupy the second half of Friday, 24th November.  In SiGMA’s Main Room, you will have the opportunity to see a variety of discussions involving start-ups, Bitcoin, risk-management, regulation, and the future of Blockchain for iGaming. 

The excitement begins at 13:30 in the startup pitch when 40 start-ups exhibiting at SiGMA will make their 3-minute pitches. Ten investors will be scrutinizing these presentations to assess, grill, and invest. One of these innovative minds will take home a win and a promising opportunity to kick-start their startup. 

Investors in the stand for this competition will include the following:Morten Klein, Founder of Klein Group ASJulie Meyer, Founder and CEO of Ariadne CapitalCarla Maree Vella, CEO of Optimizer InvestMark Blandford, Partner in Burlywood CapitalSimon Collins, Founder of Gaming RealmsOry Weihls, CEP of XLMedia GroupRobin Reed, Founder of Gaming Innovation GroupRickard Vikstrom, Founder of PolarBear GroupRoger Walker, Partner in Partis Solutions

Following the exciting startup pitch, Steve Donoughue, gambling industry strategist and communications specialist, will walk startups through a list of pitfalls to take into precaution. The top-ten checklist for disruptive startups will be presented at 15:15.

Immediately after, Eric Benz will take the floor. As managing director for Cryptopay, Benz is well equipped to lead us through a brief discussion on 2017 as “the year for Bitcoin.”

Jon Matonis, Founding Director of The Bitcoin Foundation, will take the floor at 15:40 to discuss risk management for Bitcoin Gaming Operators. 

What is the future of Bitcoin? At 16:10, Dr. Craig Wright, Chief Scientist of nChain, will tell us in his discussion on Artificial Intelligence and how the Bitcoin network will power an explosion of knowledge. 

The next presentation will pinpoint blockchain benefits, pitfalls to avoid, and opportunities to embrace. Five qualified speakers will discuss the regulation of this decentralized currency and the benefits that blockchain technology can offer the iGaming industry. Notably, a few of the advantages to be discussed will include the implementation of 0% house edge while retaining profitability, solutions to problem of “provably fair” games, and transaction speed – especially when withdrawing or depositing funds. Blockchain technology and its features will be broken down by discussion along with a study of the first decentralized gambling and betting platforms. The challenges faced with the advent of decentralized casinos will be presented here. Finally, these speakers will communicate on the future of blockchain and the way forward. 

Another discussion on the future of blockchain will follow at 17:25 when we hear from Chris North, CEO and Founder of GamCrowd. 

To wrap up the evening, Esteban van Goor and Leonard Bonello will contribute to the better understanding of ICO – Initial Coin Offering. These two experts will provide a brief SWOT analysis of ICO vs. IPO at 17:40, before opening the floor to questions. This animated discussion will come to a close around 18:10 to end the evening in the Main Room.

There is still time to get your foot in the door if you wish to attend SiGMA. For more information on the show or to book your tickets, please log in to www.maltaigamingsummit.com or send an email to info@sigma.com.mt.