Amusement machine having randomized bonus payout

An amusement machine comprising a playfield having a flat, horizontal upper surface, adapted in use to support coins;

• a coin pusher which, in use periodically sweeps across part of the playfield surface so as to disturb coins distributed thereon, whereby some coins may be pushed over at least one edge of the playfield surface into a win chute leading to a pay cup from which coins may be recovered by the user of the machine;
• a coin passage through which the user can introduce additional coins onto the playfield surface to increase the chance of coins being pushed over the said edge;
• coin conveyor means to convey some coins, introduced by the user, directly from the coin passage to a location above and close to the said edge of the playfield;
• means for randomly selecting coins introduced by the user to pass from the coin passage into the coin conveyor means;
• sensor means which detect the passage of a coin in the coin conveyor means;
• and actuating means which, in response to a signal from the sensor means, release a bonus payout of coins into the pay cup, and means for randomizing the amount of the bonus payout according to the time of the signal from the sensor means to the actuating means.