10.24
Slot Machine positioning
Volumes have been written on this matter, and the controversy and discussion about where the "hot" slot machines are placed in the casino are still on-going – more than sixty yrs after slot machine games were first placed in the casinos.
The quintessential rule is that the best slot machine games were located just inside the entry of the casino; so that persons going by would see jackpot winners … be titillated to come unto the gambling floor … play. Our theorem is that this is not so anymore.
The great majority of the mega casinos today are massive complexes … it’s no longer possible to see inside from the sidewalk, so there’s no longer a reason to situate the ‘loose’ slot machines close to any entrances or exits.
Another classic rule is that loose one armed bandits are put on the major aisles inside the casinos, again so that more potential players could see winning jackpots and be inspired to play. However, we find that this also isn’t 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 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 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!
Nowadays, casinos are constantly changing their perspective about where to place the loose slot machines.