MONOPOLY Celebrates 75th Anniversary by Giving Away the Bank

The world’s favorite family game brand to give away cash prizes through online contest



PAWTUCKET, R.I., Thursday, July 15th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:

(BUSINESS WIRE) Whether you choose to be the boot, the Scottie dog or the car when playing the MONOPOLY game, you can always count on collecting $200 when “Passing GO!” But have you ever wished the MONOPOLY money that you collected could be real? If so, you’re not alone!


To celebrate 75 years of buying and selling properties, and paying and collecting rent with play money, MONOPOLY is making the dream a reality and giving away the bank! For 75 days this summer, MONOPOLY is asking its fans to describe what they would do if the money in their MONOPOLY game -- which totals $20,580 -- were turned into REAL money. Visit www.MONOPOLY.com for details and to enter.


The MONOPOLY “Money Makes it Real” contest begins July 15, 2010 and entries will be accepted until September 3. Entries are to be limited to 75 words or less and should demonstrate a commitment to the spirit of MONOPOLY, such as travel, home repair or any other activity inspired by the history of the game, the Community Chest and Chance cards, the tokens or the game play. Once all entries are collected, participants will invite their friends and family to vote for their entry in an attempt to be one of 75 entrants with the most votes.


The 75 entries with the most votes on Sept. 27 will be considered for the grand prize. Prizes vary by country; please review the complete rules for details.


In addition, MONOPOLY will be giving away a bonus game bank ($20,580) to S.O.S. Children’s Villages, a charity organization that builds houses for abandoned and at risk children so that they can grow up in a loving home. For 75 hours from Sept. 27 at Midnight GMT (Sept. 26 at 8:00 p.m. EDT) to Sept. 30 at 02:59:00 GMT (Sept. 29 at 10:59 p.m. EDT), the public can vote for the project they want to see funded. Projects include day care, medical supplies, school fees, seeds for family farms, soccer balls or training courses and more. Learn more at www.sosvillages.org.


Join the conversation about MONOPOLY at www.facebook.com/Monopoly.


In 1935, Parker Brothers began selling the MONOPOLY property trading game, which would quickly become a cultural phenomenon. Seventy-five years later, more than 1 billion people in 111 countries have played the game designed by Charles Darrow. Over the years, the game and the rules have remained virtually unchanged though the outer packaging has gone through many revisions.


Today, the MONOPOLY brand provides entertainment experiences for players around the world that provide a MONOPOLY experience to fit every lifestyle. This Fall, Hasbro will introduce MONOPOLY: Revolution Edition and the U-BUILD MONOPOLY game. For more information about these new games, please visit www.monopoly.com. Stemming from the strategic alliance between Hasbro and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), EA has created digital versions of the MONOPOLY game which are available for download for mobile phones or free online at www.Pogo.com™. The MONOPOLY game is also available for console gaming systems, including the Nintendo Wii™, Xbox 360™, PlayStation®2 and PLAYSTATION®3. The newest console game, MONOPOLY Streets, will be available in October 2010.


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About HASBRO


Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The MONOPOLY name and logo, the distinctive design of the game board, the four corner squares, the MR. MONOPOLY name and the character, as well as each of the distinctive elements of the board and playing pieces are trademarks of Hasbro for its property trading game and game equipment. © 2010 Hasbro, All Rights Reserved.



Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.


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