Books have been set forth on this issue, and the controversy and ruckus about where the "hot" slot machines are placed in the casino are still passionate – more than 60 yrs after slot machines were 1st placed in gambling dens.
The quintessential rule is that the very best slot machine games were installed just inside the main foyer of the casino; so that individuals going by would be able to see real jackpot winners … be convinced to come unto the gaming floor … play. Our estimation is that this is no longer the case.
Practically all of the big name casinos these days are giant complexes … now you can’t see inside from the sidewalk, so there’s no longer a reason to place the ‘loose’ slot machines near to any doors.
An additional standard rule is that loose slot machines are located on the major aisles inside the casinos, again so that more persons could see winning jackpots and be encouraged to play. Notably 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 the slots 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!
Today, casinos are constantly changing their philosophy about where to place the loose one armed bandits.