McDonald’s Monopoly game returns decades after ‘McMillions’ scam

After a 10-year hiatus, McDonald’s is bringing back its iconic Monopoly game — despite its shady past.

Starting Oct. 6 for a limited time, McDonald’s fans have the chance to rediscover the “thrill of the peel” with new twists such as digital game pieces alongside the classic game pieces on select menu items.

Customers just have to order their favorite item from the Monopoly at McDonald’s menu, then peel and play, using the app to collect property pieces and redeem prizes.

Each game piece will earn you a Bonus Play for a second chance to win in-app. Prizes can include anything from free food to a dream vacation to a $1 million cash prize, according to a press release.

“Our fans have been clamoring for the return of Monopoly at McDonald’s, and we’re thrilled to bring it back with a modern, digital spin,” Alyssa Buetikofer, senior vice president and chief marketing and customer experience officer of McDonald’s USA, said in a statement.

“This game is a core memory for so many customers, and we’re excited that those memories can now be shared across generations.”

There are more than 30 eligible menu items across the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus for Monopoly, including fan favorites such as the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Egg McMuffin and large fries.

When fans collect property pieces, they get a chance at big prizes such as 1 million American Airlines AAdvantage miles, a $50,000 vacation to a Monopoly Go! location or a $10,000 Lowe’s shopping spree.

Of course, there are also free food prizes, like the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, Double Cheeseburger and Snack Wrap. Players can also win MyMcDonald’s Rewards points.

Those who play the Bonus Play through Nov. 2 will have a chance to win prizes, including a 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, as well as exclusive experiences from the Coca-Cola Company.

The return of the game plays into the nostalgia aspect, but it doesn’t come without controversy.

In the early 2000s, it was uncovered that Jerome P. Jacobson, a former police officer in charge of distributing the winning tickets to McDonald’s across the country, would steal the winning tickets for himself, friends and family, leading to nearly $24 million in prizes taken.

The scheme triggered an FBI probe that led to the arrests of Jacobson and seven of his associates in 2001, as well as an HBO docuseries called “McMillion$,” which was released in 2020.

How to play Monopoly at McDonald’s

1. Register: Download the McDonald’s app, opt in to Rewards and register for the game. Those who pre-register between Sept. 29 and Oct. 5 will get 500 bonus MyMcDonald’s Rewards points.
2. Order: Starting Oct. 6, registered players can order select menu items and get a game piece to play. With some items, you’ll get a physical piece, like on the side of a large fry box, while others will give you a digital piece through your phone when you order in the app or use a reward code.
3. Peel for prizes or properties: There are two ways to join the fun this time. Physical game pieces can be peeled from the packaging, then scanned in the app to reveal a prize or collect a digital property piece. When you earn a digital game piece, you can “peel” directly in the app to reveal if you’re an instant winner or to collect your digital property piece.
4. Bonus game: In both cases, customers can play the bonus game in the app for a second chance to win through Nov. 2.