SiGMA Rome 2025 just wrapped up, and the Affnook team is back home with a lot of great stories. While Rome is famous for its history, for us, this trip was all about the future of iGaming.
In an industry that usually happens behind screens, getting together in person reminded us that the best business deals aren’t just about numbers—they’re about the people behind them.
Making Real Connections
Our leadership team—Mukul Kaushik (CRO), Rahul Pant (Associate Director), and Jeremy Castillo (Head of EU Sales)—spent the week doing what they do best: talking to people.
We didn’t just swap business cards. We sat down with affiliates and advertisers to talk about the “real stuff”:
- How to stop fraud before it starts.
- The best ways to track data accurately.
- How to grow a business in tough, competitive markets.
The biggest takeaway? Everyone is tired of “quick wins.” People want partnerships that actually last. It’s easy to send traffic, but it’s much harder to build a system where both the affiliate and the advertiser feel like they are winning long-term.
Exploring the European Market
The European market is moving fast, and visiting Rome helped us see what matters most right now. We spent hours listening to local affiliates discuss the problems they face daily.
- Affiliates told us they want clear tracking and real time reporting.
- Operators told us they want high-quality traffic from real people who are actually interested in their product, rather than just bots or accidental clicks.
At Affnook, we see ourselves as the bridge between these two groups. We don’t just work as a middleman but as a support system. If we can make life easier for both sides by providing better data and clearer communication, the whole industry gets stronger.
4 Simple Lessons We Learned At SiGMA Rome
Great ideas can come from a lot of places, including walking through an exhibition hall or having your coffee break. The top four things we kept hearing at the show were:
- Quality over Quantity: Ten leads with high intent will be worth more than 1,000 visits to a website.
- Follow the Rules: Keeping customer data safe and following the law isn’t just a “nice to do” anymore, it’s the only way to stay in business. If you aren’t doing it right, you won’t last.
- Use Smarter Tools: Better technology makes life easier for everyone. When tracking is accurate and clear, it builds trust because everyone can see exactly what is working.
- Talk to Each Other: This is a team sport. When advertisers and affiliates actually communicate and work together, the results are always better.
Why In-Person Still Matters
We live in a digital world, but you can’t replace a handshake or a face-to-face chat. Strengthening our ties with European partners (shoutout to Jeremy for leading the way there!) was the highlight of our trip. There is something special about sitting across a table from a partner you’ve only ever emailed. You get to see the passion they have for their work, and it makes you want to work even harder for them.
For Rahul and Mukul, these meetings were a chance to show our partners that Affnook isn’t just a platform—we are a team of people who genuinely care about their success. We walked away from Rome feeling like our community is tighter than ever.
What’s Next?
We’re heading back to work with a lot of energy. The lessons we learned in SiGMA Rome are going straight into our strategy for the rest of the year. We’re focusing on being transparent, adaptable, and—most importantly—human.
The iGaming world can be complex and technical, but we believe that keeping things simple and honest is the best way forward. We are already looking at our current tools and seeing how we can tweak them based on the feedback we received in Rome.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello. We can’t wait to see where these new friendships take us!
FAQs
What is SiGMA Rome and why is it important for the iGaming industry?
SiGMA Rome is a major iGaming conference that brings together affiliates, operators, advertisers, and technology providers. It helps industry leaders connect, share insights, and discuss future trends shaping the iGaming ecosystem.
What were the key takeaways from SiGMA Rome 2025?
The biggest takeaways were the importance of quality over quantity, transparent tracking, data privacy compliance, and strong communication between affiliates and advertisers.
How is the European iGaming market evolving based on insights from SiGMA Rome?
The European market is becoming more focused on high-quality traffic, accurate attribution, and long-term partnerships rather than short-term growth tactics.
What’s next for Affnook after SiGMA Rome 2025?
Affnook is applying the insights gained at SiGMA Rome to refine its strategy, improve tools, and continue building people-first partnerships in iGaming.
