Volumes have been stated on this subject, and the controversy and discussion about where the "hot" slot machines are placed in a casino are still passionate – more than 60 years after slots were first added to the gaming floor in the casinos.
The classic rule is that the more favourable slot machines were located just inside the main door of the casino; so that individuals walking by would be able to see actual jackpot winners … be influenced to come unto the gaming floor … play. Our perspective is that this is definitely no longer the case.
Just about all of the mega casinos nowadays are colossal complexes and it’s no longer possible to see inside from the sidewalk, so there is no longer a reason to position the ‘loose’ slots in close proximity to any doors.
An additional traditional rule is that loose slot machines are positioned on the major aisles in the casinos, again so that more folks could see winning jackpots and be influenced to play. Interestingly though, 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!
In recent times, casinos are constantly changing their philosophy about where to place the loose slot games.