Why would the ballast resisters run warm to hot ?

[Hearse]

My Father's slot machine has those two ballast resistors on the door for the lights as A Mechanic told me , and when we plugged it in they run hotter than the one's on my Foxy's machine, would there be a reason for that ? is there  something ahead of the ballasts that would  be sending too much voltage to them and that is why they are running hot?

[Paul]

They are not Ballast Resistors but Ballast Transformers.
Typically they run hot due to bulbs going bad or the transformer will develop a internal short.

[Hearse]

Hmmm , ok. Is it common for them to develop a short inside? both going bad at once? all of his lights turn on it seems with no flickering.

[Paul]

The most likely reason is old bulbs.
As the fluorescent bulb ages it will
 need more power to work.
To fix, the firsts thing to do is
replace the bulbs then if still running hot
replace the ballasts.

[Hearse]

Ok will do , I'll get some replacement bulbs for it and see how she works. Thank you sir. Time to call the bulbman.

[Amechanic]

When changing bulbs, I alway replace the starter with new one too.

[Hearse]

Ok A Mechanic will do sir! I'll get some starters and new bulbs today, my Dad is getting a new heart stent installed and will be out of the hospital tomorrow he'll be happy to hear it may just be something minor. Thank you guys.