Hasbro’s new digital Monopoly banker has sparked criticism from some parents who say it undermines the purpose of board games as an escape from screen time.
Monopoly App Banking, set to launch in August 2025, replaces the traditional paper money and banker role with a mobile app that tracks players’ finances and automates transactions. Hasbro says the updated version will make the game more accessible to younger players and prevent cheating.
The new edition features a modified board with properties aimed at children, including a chocolate factory, a VR roller coaster, and a dinosaur park. Players use matching bank cards that must be scanned into the app to manage payments and purchases. While the digital banker speeds up gameplay, it has raised concerns about further increasing children’s reliance on mobile devices.
“Aren’t these board games meant to escape the digital world?” one commenter asked.
“Yeah not sketchy at all trying to encourage young children to be on more mobile devices,” another said.
Some parents also argued that the new format eliminates the educational benefits of Monopoly, particularly when it comes to learning arithmetic and handling cash.
“Call me a luddite, but the whole point of these board games is to teach kids how to do math, how to handle cash and count money,” one person remarked. “Kids these days will never learn or practice basic arithmetic…”
Another questioned the necessity of keeping a physical board at all. “Why even have the board? You can do the whole game as an app.”
Not all reactions were negative, with some defending the new version as a natural evolution of classic games.
“I don’t have a problem with it so long as they offer the original right alongside it,” one user said.
Another argued that adapting traditional games for modern audiences is a logical step. “I prefer new IPs myself, but remixing classic games with technology is ultimately progress that can make sense to do moving the core idea for the better that also is far more appealing to modern demographics. I would argue it’s long overdue for games like this.”
Hasbro maintains that the changes will help streamline gameplay and keep younger players engaged. The app, which will be free to download, includes mini-games designed to offer additional perks within Monopoly App Banking. However, players will need to provide their own mobile device to access the digital features.