Women in iGaming: An Open Petition to SiGMA World
We, members and supporters of the Women in iGaming community, are deeply concerned by the decision to promote Conor McGregor as a special guest at SiGMA World Rome 2026.

This is not a question of his achievements as an athlete, nor is it an attempt to dictate whom individuals should admire or support.

It is a question of the standards our industry chooses to represent.

In 2024, an Irish civil jury found Conor McGregor liable in the case brought by Nikita Hand and awarded her damages. His subsequent appeal was dismissed by the Irish Court of Appeal in 2025.

Against that background, we believe that presenting and actively promoting McGregor as a high-profile attraction at one of the industry's largest international events deserves serious reconsideration.

Women work at every level of iGaming — as founders, executives, operators, affiliates, compliance professionals, marketers, developers and leaders. Our industry regularly speaks about diversity, inclusion, responsible leadership and creating professional environments in which women are respected.

Those commitments should also be reflected in whom our industry chooses to celebrate and give its platforms to.

This is bigger than one celebrity appearance. It is about what we want the culture of iGaming to represent.

We therefore call on SiGMA World to:

Reconsider the decision to promote Conor McGregor as a special guest at SiGMA World Rome 2026.
Explain how this decision aligns with SiGMA's stated commitments to its professional community, including the women working within it.
Establish clear standards for high-profile ambassadors and celebrity guests appearing at future industry events.
We invite women and men across iGaming — affiliates, operators, suppliers, regulators, event organisers and industry partners — to add their names to this statement.

Taking a stand against violence against women should not be controversial.

Our industry can do better, and we believe it should.