McDonald's Monopoly returns with a digital change and safeguards
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McDonald's Monopoly game launches Oct. 6. Photo: Courtesy of McDonald's
For the first time in nearly a decade, McDonald's is reviving its Monopoly game, with both physical peel-off stickers and new app-based digital pieces.
Why it matters: The promo is a nostalgia play, but one that comes with baggage.
- An insider scam uncovered in the early 2000s stole nearly $24 million in prizes, and triggered an FBI probe that was chronicled in HBO's 2020 docuseries McMillion$.
- The long-running scheme, masterminded by a former cop, enriched a network of criminals at the expense of regular players who mostly couldn't win the top prizes.
- The revamped game now runs through the McDonald's app, with safeguards, security protocols and independent audits to ensure fairness.
When does McDonald's Monopoly start in 2025?
The big picture: McDonald's said Monday the game starts on Oct. 6. It's scheduled to end Nov. 2, but game pieces can be played though Nov. 23.
- Those who pre-register in the app for the promotion by Oct. 5 will get 500 bonus MyMcDonald's Rewards points.
How to play McDonald's Monopoly with mobile app
How it works: Players can collect both physical and digital pieces, but all physical game pieces need to be redeemed in the McDonald's app.
- Customers get a game piece when they order one of 30 eligible items, including drinks, fries, sandwiches and more.
- Digital game pieces are earned only if a customer is registered for the game before ordering an eligible item, per the fine print.
Zoom in: Physical pieces need to be peeled from packaging, then scanned in the app "to reveal your prize or collect a digital property piece."
- When you earn a digital game piece, you can "peel" in the app to "reveal if you're an instant winner or to collect your digital property piece," McDonald's said.
- The shift to digital also adds new features like Bonus Play and lets customers track prizes more seamlessly.
McDonald's Monopoly prizes 2025
State of play: Prizes include free food, 1 million American Airlines miles, a 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, $10,000 Lowe's shopping sprees and a $1 million cash prize.
