Eman Pulis Discusses Strategy, Markets, and Momentum in 18Peaches #Peachmarathon

The latest #Peachmarathon conversation by 18Peaches brings a broader lens to the state of iGaming, looking beyond products and platforms to examine where the industry is heading and why. In this episode, Aziz Akylbekov speaks with Eman Pulis, Founder of SiGMA, about global expansion, emerging markets, and the personal drivers that sit behind long-term industry building.

When an Event Becomes a Signal

The conversation opens with reflections on Rome and the evolution of SiGMA itself. Rebranding the Rome show as SiGMA World was not a cosmetic decision. For Eman, it reflects a broader ambition to create a space where markets meet rather than operate in parallel.

"All roads lead to Rome" becomes more than a slogan. It signals a belief that the industry benefits from shared points of convergence, where perspectives collide, and future direction takes shape.

What does it mean when an event moves beyond regional identity and positions itself as a global crossroads? And why does timing matter more than comfort when choosing where to grow next?

These questions set the tone for a discussion that treats expansion as a strategic signal rather than a logistical step.

Timing Over Comfort Zones

One of the strongest themes running through the interview is timing. Eman reflects on why SiGMA consistently enters markets before they become fashionable, often when scepticism is highest.

From Dubai to Brazil, from Asia to Africa, the pattern is deliberate. Emerging markets, he argues, are where the industry most needs infrastructure, education, and dialogue. Waiting until markets mature may be safer, but it limits long-term impact.

This philosophy challenges a common assumption that industry calendars are overcrowded. The question is not how many events exist, but where they exist and who they serve. Eman Pulis summarized Sigma’s strategy clearly: "Sigma is all about timing. Sigma is all about launching in emerging markets where the industry truly needs us to be." He also emphasized first-mover conviction, saying, "I take pride in Sigma being able to go to places which no one else dares to go to so early."

Motivation Beyond the Obvious

At a personal level, Eman speaks candidly about motivation. Financial freedom played a defining role early on, shaped by experiences of limitation and lack. Over time, however, that motivation evolved.

What replaces it is impact. The discussion touches on how purpose shifts as founders move from building survival to building legacy. Success becomes less about accumulation and more about contribution, whether through mentorship, community building, or creating platforms that enable others to grow.

Reflecting on work and motivation, Pulis said, "If you really love doing what you do, you don’t really have to work a single day in your life." He also connected performance to purpose at home: "Having a family helps because I don’t do it just for myself. I also do it to remain as healthy as possible so I can lift my daughters for as long as possible."

What Actually Drives a Founder Forward

During the conversation, Eman reflects on how motivation evolves as businesses scale and responsibilities grow. Early stages are often defined by ambition and financial independence, but over time, those drivers shift toward impact, continuity, and long-term responsibility.

For founders operating at a global level, success becomes less about individual milestones and more about building platforms that outlast short-term cycles. Eman touches on how this transition reshapes decision-making, influencing where to invest time, energy, and resources.

Rather than positioning motivation as a static trait, the discussion frames it as something that adapts alongside growth. Leadership, in this context, is not only about expansion, but about understanding when to recalibrate priorities as the scope of influence widens.

This perspective offers insight into how long-term industry builders think beyond immediate outcomes, a theme that quietly runs through the broader conversation.

A Question That Lingers

As the conversation closes, Eman leaves listeners with a question he believes every founder should ask themselves: What makes you happy, and have you found your ikigai within iGaming?

It is a fitting note for a discussion that balances strategy with introspection, and growth with responsibility.

The full interview with Eman Pulis is available as part of the 18Peaches #Peachmarathon series. The complete conversation can be watched on YouTube via the link provided.

Image credit: 18Peaches