Derek Stevens owns and runs Circa Resort & Casino, downtown Las Vegas’ first newly built casino resort in more than four decades. He also owns the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino nearby. Stevens built his reputation on sports-first design, hands-on leadership, and a refusal to let downtown Vegas fade.
Who Is Derek Stevens?
Derek Stevens is the owner and CEO of Circa Resort & Casino in downtown Las Vegas. He also co-owns the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino with his brother, Greg Stevens.
Stevens grew up in Detroit and ran his family’s auto parts business before he moved into casinos. He first fell in love with Las Vegas on trips to watch big fights and Super Bowls, long before he owned a single property.
Today Stevens is one of the last major independent casino owners left in Las Vegas. He built his three downtown properties around one belief: sports fans deserve a Vegas experience built for them.
Derek Stevens’ Career in Casinos
| Year | Milestone |
| 2006 | Moves his investment portfolio to Nevada and buys stock in casino companies |
| 2008 | Buys 50% of Golden Gate Hotel & Casino with brother Greg; later buys the rest |
| 2011 | Acquires Fitzgeralds Hotel & Casino downtown |
| 2012 | Rebrands Fitzgeralds as the D Las Vegas |
| 2014 | Buys the former Clark County Courthouse site and builds Downtown Las Vegas Events Center |
| 2015-2016 | Buys the Las Vegas Club and Mermaid Casino, later demolished to make way for Circa |
| 2019 | Launches Circa Sports, the company’s sportsbook brand |
| 2020 | Opens Circa Resort & Casino |
Why Circa Resort & Casino Stands Out
Derek Stevens designed Circa around three signature features meant to give sports fans a reason to visit. Each one aimed to be the biggest or best of its kind anywhere.
- World’s largest sports book: a three-level sportsbook built for live game-day viewing, with room for roughly 1,000 guests
- Stadium Swim: a six-pool amphitheater with a 143-foot screen, open 365 days a year
- Legacy Club: a rooftop lounge with open views of the Las Vegas Valley and the Red Rock mountains
- Adults-only policy: Circa welcomes guests 21 and older, a trade-off Stevens made to sharpen the resort’s focus on service
Circa Sports and America’s Biggest Football Contests
Derek Stevens launched Circa Sports in 2019, and the brand now runs sportsbooks in six states: Nevada, Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Kentucky, and Missouri. Its Las Vegas book is best known for hosting some of the largest football contests in the country.
| Contest | Entry fee | Guaranteed prize pool | Format |
| Circa Million VII | Standard entry | $6 million | Pro football pick’em contest |
| Circa Survivor | Standard entry | $15 million | Survivor pool; last entrant standing wins |
| Circa Grandissimo | $100,000 | Grows with entries | High-stakes survivor pool for serious bettors |
In September 2025, Circa Sports set a record $31.6 million in guaranteed NFL contest prize money across its three contests. Winners collected the money as the season wrapped in January 2026, including an $18.7 million payout split five ways in Circa Survivor.
Derek Stevens’ Hands-On Approach to Vegas
Derek Stevens is known for walking the casino floor and talking with guests instead of staying out of sight. That hands-on style is unusual among downtown Las Vegas casino executives, and it has shaped Circa’s reputation for customer-focused service.
Derek Stevens’ Awards and Recognition
Derek Stevens’ properties have earned national recognition for design and service.
- Most Intriguing Newcomer, 2020 Forbes Vices Awards (Circa Resort & Casino)
- North American Property of the Year, 2022 Global Gaming Awards, second year running (Circa Resort & Casino)
- Best Las Vegas Casino, USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards, 2020, 2022, and 2023 (the D Las Vegas)
The Bottom Line
Derek Stevens turned a Detroit transplant’s love of Vegas sports weekends into three of downtown’s most talked-about casinos. Circa remains his boldest bet, built around live sports, hands-on service, and a refusal to copy the Strip.
With Circa Sports expanding into new states and a recent property expansion, Stevens shows no sign of slowing down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Derek Stevens?
Derek Stevens is the owner and CEO of Circa Resort & Casino. He also owns the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino with his brother, Greg.
What is Circa Resort & Casino known for?
Circa is known for the World’s Largest Sports Book, the Stadium Swim pool amphitheater, and an adults-only policy. Downtown Las Vegas hadn’t seen a newly built casino resort in more than 40 years before Circa opened.
Why is Circa Resort & Casino adults-only?
Stevens made Circa a 21-and-older property to sharpen its focus on service. He has said the trade-off was worth the stronger guest experience it created.
What states does Circa Sports operate in?
Circa Sports operates sportsbooks in six states: Nevada, Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Kentucky, and Missouri. The brand also runs some of the largest football betting contests in the country.
What other casinos does Derek Stevens own?
Stevens also owns the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, both in downtown Las Vegas. He acquired and renovated both properties before building Circa.