Unfortunately, the situation has become somewhat of a Catch-22. Operators aren't as quick to fix the machines because they don't produce the kind of profits they used to. The casual player simply isn't there to support the maintenance costs. At the same time, even dedicated pinheads are less likely to play the machines if they're broken. A vicious cycle indeed.

Originally posted by jonnyo:

"Think of all the time and energy people pour into their home games to dial them in "just right". If an op spent that much time on every machine he'd be broke in a week ..."

Point well taken.