Slot Machine positioning
Books have been stated on this topic, and the debates and ruckus about where the "hot" slot games are installed in the casino are still taking place – over 60 yrs after slots were first placed in the casinos.
The quintessential rule is that the superior slot machines were placed just inside the main entryway of the casino; so that people passing by would see jackpot winners and be attracted to come unto the gaming floor and play. Our conclusion is that this is not so anymore.
Practically all of the large casinos today are colossal complexes and it’s no longer possible to see inside from the sidewalk, so there’s no longer a reason to have the ‘loose’ one armed bandits in close proximity to any doorways.
Another classic rule is that loose slot games are placed on the major aisles in the casinos, again so that more fun seekers could see winning jackpots and be motivated to play. 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 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!
In recent times, casinos are constantly changing their philosophy about where to place the loose slot machines.