Published on: June 10, 2026, 01:16h.
Updated on: June 10, 2026, 01:16h.
- The sole remaining Sigma Derby slot machine in operation is relocating from The D to Golden Gate
- A public celebration down Fremont Street will honor the machine’s move on June 16
- This vintage electro-mechanical game has garnered a massive cult following
The last operational Sigma Derby horse racing slot machine will be moved from The D to its sister establishment, the Golden Gate, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. To commemorate this event, a parade will take place.
The relocation of Sigma Derby is set for 10 a.m. and will include a public parade along Fremont Street. According to Vital Vegas, the procession will feature Derek Stevens, owner of both venues, alongside Shetland ponies and entertainers.
Legacy of the Game
Launched in 1985 by Sigma Game Inc. of Japan, Sigma Derby became a cherished attraction in Las Vegas casinos through the latter part of the 1990s. Presently, The D hosts the only machine available to the public worldwide — a distinction that has turned it into a cultural icon. While a few machines remain with private collectors, they are not accessible to the public.
The D’s Sigma Derby machine originally functioned at the New Frontier but was later stored until Derek Stevens acquired Fitzgeralds in 2011. His team discovered the machine, restored it, and made it a focal point of the casino’s nostalgic-themed upper floor when the establishment reopened as The D in 2012.
“When we purchased Fitzgerald’s, we aimed to create a vintage atmosphere on the second floor,” Stevens remarked to Casino.org in 2022. “I have always had a fondness for Sigma Derby, and it fit perfectly with our theme.”
Gameplay Mechanics
Sigma Derby functions as an electro-mechanical, communal horse-racing game with 10 betting stations encircling a miniature racetrack. Players place a quarter wager per race, choosing which two horses out of five will take the first and second places. Odds are adjusted before each race.
According to local lore, if tourists place their very first wager on a Sigma Derby race during their stay, they are likely to have good luck in Las Vegas.
Despite Sigma Derby having a house edge of around 15% — making it significantly less favorable compared to double-zero roulette — the game’s operational costs exceed its quarter intake due to the need for obsolete replacement parts that must be sourced from eBay.
Nevertheless, Stevens has expressed personal ties to the game: his inaugural wager in Las Vegas was on a Sigma Derby machine at the now-closed Dunes. Notably, during a 2016 appearance on “Pawn Stars,” Stevens attempted to sell his machine for $80,000 — an effort he later claimed was merely a publicity stunt.
The choice to transit Sigma Derby is seen as a smart move: the machine serves as a significant draw for visitors, and Golden Gate — having removed its live table games earlier in March 2026 — stands to gain from increased foot traffic.
The final opportunity to experience Sigma Derby at The D will be at midnight on June 14. The machine will be operational at the Golden Gate by 4 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, with Stevens scheduled to give opening remarks followed by a champagne toast.