12.21
Slot Machine positioning
Books have been written on this matter, and the controversy and squabbling about where the "hot" slots are installed in a casino are still rampant – 60 yrs after the slot machines were 1st added to the gaming floor in gambling dens.
The standard rule is that the more favourable slots were located just inside the main entryway of the casino; so that potential players going by would be able to see real jackpot winners … be enthralled to come inside … play. Our leaning is that this is definitely no longer the case.
Almost all of the mega casinos nowadays are humongous complexes … you can no longer see inside from the sidewalk, so there is no longer a reason to situate the ‘loose’ slot machines close-by any exits.
Yet another classic rule is that loose slot machines are located on the major aisles inside the casinos, again so that more people could see winning jackpots and be motivated to play. 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 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!
In recent times, casinos are constantly changing their perspective about where to place the loose slot machine games.