Volumes have been said on this subject, and the controversy and arguments about where the "hot" one armed bandits are placed in the casino are still taking place – more than sixty yrs after slot machines were first placed in gambling dens.
The traditional rule is that the superior slots were located just inside the door of the casino; so that persons going by would see real jackpot winners … be stimulated to come inside and play. Our view is that this is no longer true.
Practically all of the major casinos presently are magnificent complexes … it is not possible to see inside from the sidewalk, so there’s no longer a reason to put the ‘loose’ one armed bandits close to any exits.
An additional classic rule is that loose one armed bandits are positioned on the major aisles inside the casinos, again so that more folks could see winning jackpots and be inspired to play. Importantly however, 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 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 games.