Abstract: A machine of the type in which a number of wheels are brought to rotate and to stop in different positions, and in which an arrangement is provided for detecting the individual stop positions of the wheels and for controlling a dispensing mechanism so as to cause release of different numbers of articles in response to the wheels stopping in different characteristic mutual positions, corresponding to the showing of certain symbols in a window of the machine. The detecting arrangement is constituted by touchfree, preferably photoelectric sensing means which cooperate with either the wheels or with movable levers operable to assume positions indicative of the respective stop positions of the wheels so as to be able to read the wheel stop positions in logic terms and supply, a reading signal to a control unit for actuating the dispensing mechanism when the readings of all wheel stop positions correspond to one of the characteristic combinations of stop positions.