McDonald’s has officially brought back its famous Monopoly game, a beloved tradition that had been on hiatus since 2014 due to the infamous “McMillions” scandal, where insiders stole high-value winning pieces. The fast-food giant has revamped the game into a digital format, allowing customers to peel stickers from select menu items in hopes of collecting Monopoly properties to secure prizes. Now, players can earn both physical and digital stickers, with prizes ranging from food items like apple pies and Snack Wraps to grand rewards such as cars and shopping sprees.
While the allure of winning is strong, lottery expert Jared James, founder of LottoEdge.com, warns fans that the odds of hitting the big prizes are astronomically low. In fact, the odds of winning any prize in the game are about one in five, but the chances of snagging the grand prizes soar to staggering levels. For example, players need to collect four railroad stickers to be in the running for a trip for four to various Monopoly GO! destinations, with the odds of winning this prize estimated at over one in 60 billion, making it more than 200 times harder to win than the Mega Millions jackpot.
Other top prizes, such as one million American Airlines AAdvantage miles and a new 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, similarly present daunting odds of approximately one in 13.2 billion and one in 13.1 billion, respectively. This stark reality has led many players to question the fairness of the game, with some expressing their frustrations on social media platforms.
Despite the long odds, the game remains popular, largely due to its nostalgic appeal and the small rewards available, which drive repeat visits to McDonald’s locations. James highlights that the instant gratification of winning a small item can trigger a pleasurable response in the brain, akin to how lottery games function. Even if players don’t realistically expect to win major prizes, the possibility of a fortuitous meal keeps them engaged.
McDonald’s executives designed the Monopoly game primarily as a marketing strategy, aiming to boost sales rather than distribute substantial winnings. This strategy appears effective, as the public’s participation continues to grow despite awareness of the minuscule winning chances. Players are encouraged to engage early to maximize their chances of collecting game pieces, even though the outcomes largely depend on sheer luck.
As excitement builds around the game, McDonald’s has yet to respond to inquiries regarding specific aspects of the promotion, which will run until November 2. Meanwhile, the company is also implementing a new tipping policy that has sparked controversy among fans, indicating ongoing changes at the fast-food chain.