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Monopoly is making a kid-friendly version (with no cash, no counting, and based on an app, because why not?)

By removing all the math and counting aspects of the game, we're left with the true heart of any Monopoly game - mindless spending.

An image of a Monopoly board — Image credit: Hasbro

News by Trent Cannon, Senior Contributing writer

Published on Wed May 21 2025

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To be honest, Monopoly has never been our board game of choice unless we’re looking to start a fight with our friends and family, but there are certain skills that the game can instill in young players. Things like counting and keeping track of money are valuable skills for kids to develop, so it is a little disappointing that Hasbro is releasing a new version of Monopoly aimed at removing those parts of the game from player control.

The new Monopoly App Banking board game has been announced, ushering players aged eight and up into the cashless future. The properties have been given a kid-friendly swap, allowing players to purchase the Rocket Launch Pad and Alien Skatepark. The biggest change comes in a new app that runs on mobile devices and handles purchasing properties, collecting rent, and most other number-focused aspects of the game. Instead of cash, players pay rent using a bank card.

There is something to be said for updating the game to teach kids about debit cards and contactless payment, but we remain skeptical that teaching them to rely on an app to handle all their counting and organization is a good thing. It feels a bit too much like teaching them to rely on AI for their day-to-day lives, and we’ve already seen what that can lead to.

Monopoly Banking App is being released in stages over the summer, with Amazon selling the game starting June 1, 2025 and major retailers getting this version on July 15, 2025. Hobby game stores have to wait until August to usher kids into the cashless future.

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