SiGMA World rewards illegal operator
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21 Nov 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes The European iGaming scene has been in a media storm since SiGMA World awarded a major prize to 22Bet, a sports betting platform unable to operate legally throughout Central Europe.
An award that defies regulatory reality
The announcement came as a surprise to many observers. SiGMA World, a recognised player in the organisation of events dedicated to global gaming, has chosen to honour 22Bet as the best sportsbook in Central Europe. It’s a decision that’s hard to understand when you consider the operator’s regulatory situation.
In the region, the rule is crystal clear: platforms must hold a national licence to be authorised. However, 22Bet does not hold a licence in any of the countries concerned. Not in Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Croatia or Slovakia. This total lack of local recognition means that their activity is quite simply illegal.
‘How can this be taken seriously?’ said Mateo Loncar, the observer behind the public alert.
22Bet operates mainly via offshore licences issued by the Curaçao Gaming Authority and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, supplemented by an Estonian licence – which is not recognised in the countries in which it has won an award. This discrepancy between the regulatory facts and the awards raises questions about the rigour of the distinctions awarded in the sector.
Total incompatibility with Central European laws
The countries of Central Europe are unanimous: the operation of a gambling service requires a valid national licence. No more, no less. A licence obtained only in Curaçao – like the one used by 22Bet – does not meet these requirements.
Whether in Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic or Hungary, the authorities are clear: foreign licences are not recognised. The lack of compliance therefore deprives 22Bet of any legal legitimacy in these countries.
An award that blurs the lines and disorients players
Awarding a prestigious trophy to an unauthorised operator is more than just a symbolic faux pas. It creates a dangerous sense of legitimacy with the public. The average user might believe that a site awarded by an international organisation is reliable and complies with local laws. However, this is not the case.
This situation gives players a false sense of legitimacy, according to Mateo Loncar. It also weakens the work of the regulators who are striving to ensure a secure environment, while combating illegal sites using mirrors and ephemeral domains.
For years, the iGaming industry has been seeking to enhance its transparency, accountability and reputation. However, rewarding operators who deliberately evade European regulations goes in the opposite direction.
Awards influence public perception, as well as that of partners, investors and the authorities. They represent a form of guarantee. By awarding it to a player operating illegally in an entire region, SiGMA World is exposing itself to strong criticism and opening up a necessary debate on the relevance of the awards it grants.
The 22Bet affair reveals a deep-seated malaise in the iGaming ecosystem: the growing dissociation between regulatory reality and media recognition. By awarding a prize to a platform that is not authorised in the entire region concerned, SiGMA World has triggered a controversy that goes far beyond the scope of a simple event.