Sigma Derby Expected to be Back on Casino Floors in 2027

^{The Sigma Derby game on display at G2E drew eyes and conversations. It could be on casino floors around the country in 2027. (Photo: Marc Meltzer / Casinos.com)}

A new Sigma Derby horse-racing game debuted at the Global Gaming Expo a few weeks ago. Multiple gaming manufacturers collaborated to create it, and it could be in casinos across the U.S. early next year.

The new version looks almost identical to the Sigma Derby machine that moved from The D to Golden Gate Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas earlier this year. Sigma Derby is a cult classic for gamblers, and that original machine is the only one still in a casino today.

Plans for the return of Sigma Derby were announced without images in January. Like most things in Las Vegas, we usually take the "we’ll believe it when we see it" approach.

Well, we saw the game in action and believe it.

Reviving Sigma Derby for the 21st Century

Three parties are involved in bringing this cult classic back to life. Next Gaming, VSR Industries, and Highbrow Gaming have combined their individual skills to create the new Sigma Derby.

Next Gaming is building the software and game mechanics that are essentially the guts of the new Sigma Derby. VSR Industries is the hardware manufacturer encasing the game, and Highbrow Gaming rounds out the team’s vision.

There was a bit of irony the first time I saw the new version of Sigma Derby at G2E. Much like the original games from the 1980s, it was down and being repaired. This is a scene Sigma Derby fans have grown accustomed to since the mechanics are more than 40 years old. I’m told this was a one-time issue during the show, and the game was running shortly after I left.

Unlike other new horse-racing casino games, the new Sigma Derby is almost a replica of the original. This was done on purpose. Mike Darley, CEO of Next Gaming, says the company’s “mission is to preserve that exact experience.”

One of the biggest complaints about Konami’s Fortune Cup horse-racing game in casinos today is that it’s almost too perfect. For example, the horses glide smoothly around the track. Sigma Derby fans still love the choppy, bouncing mechanical horses of the original.

The new version is smoother, but there’s still a little bounce when the horses race around the track. This speaks nicely to the dedication to keeping the integrity of the original game.

Another complaint with Fortune Cup is that there are too many betting options. Sigma Derby fans appreciate the limited options because it’s easier to choose how to bet. 

Players make the same two-horse combination bets, called quinellas, as they do in the original. Between the five horses, there are 10 possible outcomes with a high payout of 200-1. Another nod to the original is the 25-cent denomination per combination wager. We reached out to see if this will be the case when the game launches in casinos, but haven’t heard back.

Fans of the original game should love the new version.

New Sigma Derby Making a Return Sooner than Later?

In an interview with CDC Gaming during G2E, Patrick Schmit of Highbrow Gaming said the software evaluation is already underway. He also said the cabinet on display at G2E was being delivered to the independent lab next for physical compliance testing.

Gaming commissions around the country require approval from an accredited independent testing laboratory, such as Gaming Laboratories International, before a new game can be placed in a casino. This ensures players have a fair gamble.

The process should go quickly since Next Gaming already has approval for the platform. Schmit hopes to have everything wrapped up before the end of the year, which would give the team time to place the game next year.

During the interview, Schmit said 15 to 20 locations around the country are signed up and interested in the game. There are no details on which casinos they are.

Casino floors could change drastically next year if Sigma Derby receives all the necessary approvals and Interblock’s Marble Run finally has some takers.

Going Back to the Future with a Classic Casino Game

Sigma Derby was most popular in the 1990s but began fading in the early 2000s, when the manufacturer began phasing out production of the game and its parts.

By 2015, there were only a handful of Sigma Derby games on casino floors. Two of those were in Las Vegas at The D and MGM Grand. In 2018, MGM Grand, the only Strip location for the game, removed its machine despite pleas from the rabid fanbase of the Save Sigma Derby Facebook group. Schmit says bringing back Sigma Derby has been a 15-year effort.

This might be the right time for a game like Sigma Derby for two reasons. It’s a social game that offers players an inexpensive option on the casino floor.

Value and fun?! In 2026?! Get out!

Millennials, 30 to 45 years old, and Gen Z, 21 to 29, are generally seeking social experiences when they go out to detach from the mobile devices they’re so often tied to. Craps and roulette are two of the most social games in the casino. For a similar reason, it’s been nearly impossible to find a seat at a Sigma Derby machine on weekends at The D or Golden Gate over the past decade.

Sigma Derby is a similar social game. Players around the racetrack root for their horses and cheer for the winner. This is similar to a shooter hitting a point in craps or a player winning 35-1 on a number bet at roulette. The game has a fun vibe for young and old players alike.

The game has a minimum bet of 25 cents per combination at Golden Gate. If it rolls out to casinos with a buy-in similar to the demo version’s, it will attract players looking to stretch their bankroll.

Not only is Sigma Derby a cheap game to play, but it’s also a fun way to enjoy some complimentary drinks on the casino floor. Finding value on the casino floor isn’t as easy as it used to be, and that could lead to success for a new Sigma Derby.

The value lies in the experiences, not the house edge, which can range from 10% to 20%.

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