Volumes have been stated on this subject, and the disquiet and disagreement about where the "hot" slot machines are positioned in a casino are still bubbling – over 60 years after slot machines were first placed in casinos.
The classic rule is that the best slot machines were positioned just inside the entry of the casino; so that people walking by would see jackpot winners and be convinced to come into the casino and play. Our sentiment is that this is definitely no longer the case.
Nearly all of the large casinos today are huge complexes and it’s no longer possible to see inside from the sidewalk, so there’s no longer a reason to put the ‘loose’ slot machine games in close proximity to any doorways.
Yet another classic rule is that loose slot machines are positioned on the major aisles inside the casinos, again so that more fun seekers could see winning jackpots and be influenced to play. Nonetheless, we find that this also is no longer a universal rule.
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 slot games 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 machine games.