Blokotech and SiGMA have joined forces to launch a global padel tour that places industry networking in a sports setting, offering operators, suppliers, and partners a different environment for interaction.
The initiative is designed to complement traditional industry formats by creating space for direct and informal engagement outside conference halls. Participants interact during matches and in between games, where conversations continue in a less structured setting.
“The iGaming industry is extremely relationship-driven, yet most interactions happen in structured environments like conferences, meetings, or online calls,” said Blokotech CEO and co-founder Salvatore Messina. “Those settings are important, but they rarely create space for more genuine connection.”
Messina said playing padel changes how people engage, allowing for more natural exchanges. The pace of the activity gives participants time to observe communication styles and working approaches in ways not typically visible in formal meetings.
Buenos Aires launch sets initial stage
The tour opened in Buenos Aires, where participants from beginner to advanced levels joined the event. Organizers combined competition and team play, positioning the tournament as a venue for professional interaction alongside sport. The format allows conversations to develop over time, extending beyond scheduled meetings and continuing after matches in relaxed settings.
Following the Argentina leg, the tour is scheduled to move to Malta on April 28, with a limited number of player slots still available.
Positioning alongside conferences
The padel tour is structured to operate alongside established industry gatherings rather than replace them. Conferences continue to provide scale and formal engagement, while the tour introduces a different setting for interaction.
SiGMA organizes events that bring together executives, investors, and policymakers across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. These gatherings support market access, commercial discussions, and policy exchanges. The organization also runs networking sessions, awards programs, startup pitches, and initiatives under the SiGMA Foundation.
Blokotech’s collaboration with SiGMA builds on this global event network, placing the tour within an existing calendar of industry activities.
“Our goal is not immediate transactions but long-term relationship capital,” Messina said.
Organizers said in-person interaction in informal environments can support trust-building. Observing how participants collaborate, respond to pressure, and work in teams offers additional context beyond formal discussions.
Regional alignment and future rollout
The tour’s structure follows activity in Latin America and Europe, regions where padel has an established presence and where Blokotech has ongoing operations. Events across these areas bring together participants from different parts of the iGaming ecosystem.
Blokotech plans to introduce the tour to additional locations in the coming years while maintaining its current format and focus on interaction and community.
“The goal isn’t simply to create another industry event,” Messina said, “but to build a recognised platform where meaningful connections continue to develop year after year.”
With Malta as the next stop, the Bloko Padel Tour enters the iGaming events calendar as an additional format centered on shared activity and continued engagement.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/04/01/118342-blokotech-and-sigma-expand-global-padel-tour-for-igaming-networking
