Volumes have been set forth on this subject, and the controversy and interchanges about where the "hot" slot machines are installed in a casino are still intense – over sixty yrs after one armed bandits were 1st installed in gambling houses.
The classic rule is that the more favourable slot machines were put just inside the main entrance of the casino; so that persons walking by would be able to see real jackpot winners and be stimulated to come unto the gaming floor and play. Our persuasion is that this is no longer the case.
Nearly all of the mega casinos presently are massive complexes … it’s no longer possible to see inside from the sidewalk, so there’s no longer a reason to situate the ‘loose’ slot games in close proximity to any entrances.
An additional traditional rule is that loose slots are put on the major aisles inside the casinos, again so that more potential players could see winning jackpots and be influenced to play. Importantly however, we find that this also is not a universal rule any more.
What casinos found over the years is that people walking down the busy aisles were frequently on the way to somewhere else. If they played one armed bandits at all, they would simply put in their loose change because they happened to be walking by. Win or lose, they would very often not stop to keep playing. And the last thing a casino wants is for someone to win a jackpot by playing only a few coins and then not stay to put it all back in!
Nowadays, casinos are constantly changing their philosophy about where to place the loose slots.