Four Queens to install first new Sigma Derby machine in decades

First new machine in decades

A newly manufactured version of Sigma Derby is scheduled to debut at Four Queens on Fremont Street next year. The installation will mark the first new Sigma Derby machine placed into service in decades.

The mechanical horse-racing game was first introduced in 1985 by Japan’s Sigma Game Inc. The lone remaining Sigma Derby machine in public use is currently at the Golden Gate.

Unveiling and development

The revamped Sigma Derby was unveiled at last month’s Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. Terry Caudill, owner of Four Queens, is the founder and owner of Next Gaming, one of three companies responsible for bringing Sigma Derby back to market. Next Gaming partnered with Highbrow Gaming and VSR Industries to develop the updated version of the game.

The new Sigma Derby features ticket-in/ticket-out functionality, bill acceptance, and a digital display tracking previous winning horses. Players can wager in denominations ranging from 25 cents to $5. Casino operators can configure the game’s theoretical return-to-player percentage between 86% and 94%.

Machine’s recent history

Derek Stevens acquired Fitzgeralds in 2011 and his team located, restored, and installed a Sigma Derby machine at The D in 2012. This summer, Stevens elected to move the game from The D to the Golden Gate, which he also owns. On June 16, 2026, a parade was held to accompany the machine during its move west along Fremont Street.