Eman Pulis, visionary founder of SiGMA Group, has transformed a small idea born in Malta into a global ecosystem connecting technology, gaming, and innovation. His story is one of passion, resilience, and purpose — a journey where success is measured not just in profits, but in impact.
Could you briefly tell us about yourself and how you started your business journey?
In my third year at University, someone approached me to start selling tickets for a party. I embraced the challenge. My love for events grew and grew, to the point that I kept organising concerts for the next 10 years. Shortly after that I pivoted into organising something a bit more meaningful and of more substance – laying the first foundations for what would eventually become the SiGMA you know today.
SiGMA – which was an acronym for the Summit of iGaming in Malta – took off in 2014. In 2021 SiGMA broadened its reach, holding its first international event in Dubai. Since then we’ve become a globally recognised platform with a growing international presence.
The road hasn’t always been smooth. The Covid-19 pandemic hit us especially hard. We didn’t know it at the time, but it would become a catalyst for growth and reinvention. It pushed us to adapt and ultimately became the launchpad for a more global vision. The key lesson was resilience — learning to pivot when necessary and keep moving forward. It was around this time that we also launched our charitable arm — the SiGMA Foundation, Ikigai Ventures (a $20 million venture capital fund to support startups), and SiGMA Play, an affiliate program which opened up huge potential through its online platforms.
Today we host summits in eight geographically strategic cities and hold over 110 side events annually — including retreats, iGatherings, and poker tournaments.
What was your vision when founding SiGMA, and how has that vision evolved today?
While our vision has evolved in tandem with our growth, the essence remains unchanged: uniting the global iGaming community on a single platform where leaders can connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas.
Looking forward, SiGMA will continue working hand-in-hand with regulators to challenge and change the longstanding stigma around online gambling. By 2030, our vision is to establish SiGMA as a trusted hub where the B2B, B2C, and B2G sectors can seamlessly converge.
In your opinion, what is the key factor behind SiGMA’s success?
At its core, SiGMA has always focused on creating meaningful connections — not just between businesses, but between people. By offering a space where ideas can thrive and listening closely to attendees’ feedback, we have ensured that each event continuously improves in both experience and impact.
Equally important is adaptability and resilience — a willingness to pivot when needed, to embrace and respect local cultures and regulations in new markets, and to invest in the communities we enter. We make sure that each event resonates — not just on a local level but with the wider conversation taking place on global gaming stages. This balance is what has allowed us to grow into a trusted and global brand.
“Ikigai Ventures” means “life purpose” in Japanese. How does this philosophy influence your business approach?
We believe in creating value not just for our industry, but for the communities we touch globally.
In my 30s, my dream was to become a millionaire; to achieve financial freedom. Ten years later, the dream remains, but the metric has changed. Today, I measure wealth by the number of lives impacted. If I can help lift a million people out of poverty, then I’ve become a true millionaire.
Through the Foundation, we’ve embraced our success to support philanthropic initiatives, making a real and marked difference in communities around the world. Our passion for education, sustainability, and social good has become a core part of our mission, and our audience is now more connected than ever to these efforts through events like the auction at our awards ceremony.
Which sectors do you think will stand out the most in the entrepreneurial world in the coming years?
That’s quite a broad question, but if we look at Europe specifically, I believe the state-by-state regulatory framework will continue to define the market over the next five years. Growth will largely depend on operators staying aligned with each jurisdiction’s requirements, while Tier 1 companies pursue multiple licenses across different EU countries.
However, without EU-wide harmonization, this fragmented structure will still leave the door open for grey market operators to exploit opportunities created by overregulation.
Beyond Europe, regulation will remain the driving force globally. We’re already seeing major markets like Brazil moving to regulate online gaming, with leading operators racing to secure licenses.
The UAE is another clear example, where new licensing initiatives are gradually shaping the landscape with the aim of bringing all emirates under a unified regulatory umbrella. Once those frameworks are fully established, significant growth is likely to follow.
Overall, in the coming years, regulation will continue to be the decisive factor worldwide — some regions will move quickly, others more cautiously, but the trend is unmistakable.
How do you maintain your energy and motivation in such a busy work schedule?
Maintaining energy and motivation in a demanding schedule comes down to discipline, passion, and balance. First and foremost, I genuinely love what I do, and that naturally fuels my drive.
At the same time, I’ve learned that energy is something you need to actively manage: setting clear priorities, surrounding myself with a strong team I can trust, and making time for moments with my family to recharge are all essential.
I also keep motivation high by focusing on the bigger picture; reminding myself of the impact our projects have on communities and the industry as a whole.
Challenges are inevitable, but I see them as opportunities to grow, adapt, and push further. That perspective keeps the fire alive even during the busiest days.
What would be your most important advice for young entrepreneurs?
Embrace the freedom adaptability will bring. Sometimes, challenges can become an unforeseen strength, because they push you to move forward, to seek new paths.
Don’t let doubt, whether from yourself or others, hold you back. Taking risks, and being willing to learn from failures while continuously evolving, will seed growth.
Just as important, find your Ikigai: do what you love, what you’re good at, and what makes a difference in the world.
When your work aligns with your passion and purpose, success will follow naturally. And, as I often say — leave your ego at the door.
Could you tell us a little about the social responsibility projects you carry out through the SiGMA Foundation?
From expanding an Amazonian hospital to improve healthcare access for the Iquitos community in Peru, to establishing an ophthalmic operating theatre in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, an MMA sports school for underprivileged youth in São Paulo, Brazil, and a women’s empowerment training centre in Bonga, Ethiopia — we have launched diverse projects focused on healthcare, education, and community development.
This commitment continues into 2026 with new initiatives, including the installation of a water tank at the Wush Wush Kindergarten and the construction of four classrooms in Bonga, the creation of a revenue-generating hub to sustain the women’s vocational training centre, and the building of a new kindergarten in Kasese, Uganda.
We are also working on a night shelter to address homelessness, dormitories for river-based patients awaiting medical care in Iquitos, Peru, and additional community-focused projects such as a Wi-Fi for E-Learning and Feeding Programme for children in the Tondo slums of Manila, the development of the community centre launched in Batiawan, Zambales for the Aetas community, and the installation of solar panels and air conditioning at the Jose Depiro Formation Centre.
