(57) An amusement machine comprises a substantially horizontal playfield which supports a plurality of coins. The coins on the playfield are periodically disturbed, whereby some coins may be pushed over an edge of the playfield. A user of the machine can cause further coins to be added to those on the playfield, to increase the chance of coins being pushed over the edge. A use detector means generates a signal for a predetermined time following use of the machine. A coin chute receives coins pushed over the edge of the playfield. A coin director means receives coins from the coin chute and operates in alternative open and closed modes. A coin fall detector associated with the coin chute gives a signal when a coin is received by the coin chute. Control means for receive signals from the use detector means and from the coin fall detector, and control switching of the coin director means between its alternative modes in response to the signals.