Volumes have been set forth on this matter, and the conflict and discussion about where the "hot" slots are placed in a casino are still passionate – sixty years after slot games were first installed in gambling houses.
The quintessential rule is that the superior slot games were positioned just inside the door of the casino; so that persons walking by would be able to see jackpot winners and be aroused to come unto the gaming floor … play. Our conviction is that this is not so anymore.
Most of the major casinos these days are magnificent complexes … it’s no longer possible to see inside from the sidewalk, so there is no longer a reason to put the ‘loose’ slot machines near to any of the doors.
Yet another classic rule is that loose one armed bandits are located on the major aisles in the casinos, again so that more fun seekers could see winning jackpots and be inspired to play. Interestingly though, we find that this also isn’t 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 the slot machines 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 very 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!
Today, casinos are constantly changing their philosophy about where to place the loose slot machine games.