East Longmeadow, Mass. (March 5, 2009) - If you've ever advanced to 'Boardwalk,' taken a ride on the 'Reading,' or breathed a sigh of relief landing on 'Free Parking,' you know the emotional ups and downs of making a deal and owning it all while playing the world's most popular board game, MONOPOLY. Whether you're the undisputed MONOPOLY champion in your home or just enjoy making a mint while building a hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, you may have what it takes to become the next MONOPOLY National Champion!

MONOPOLY players of all skill levels across the country are invited to enter the competition to qualify for the 2009 MONOPOLY United States National Championship tournament. For more information on how to qualify for the National Championship, players should visit www.monopoly.com before March 12, 2009.

On April 15, 2009 - better known in the United States as "tax day" - players will compete in the MONOPOLY National Championship at Washington, D.C.'s historic Union Station. The top player will earn the prestigious title of MONOPOLY U.S. National Champion, $20,580 (the equivalent of the "bank" in the MONOPOLY game), and the honor of representing the country at the MONOPOLY World Championships in Las Vegas in October 2009.

"We're excited to bring together game players from across the country to compete in the ultimate fast-dealing property trading game using play money for the chance to earn real money," said Matt Collins, Vice President of U.S. Marketing for Hasbro Games. "This year, we're hoping that we will find a National Champion who will reclaim the world title that has not belonged to the United States since 1974."

Fans of the game will be invited to take a qualifying multiple-choice quiz on www.monopoly.com that tests their knowledge of the game and game-playing strategy. High scorers will be asked to answer five MONOPOLY-themed essay questions. Twenty-four players will be invited to compete in person in Washington, D.C. at the MONOPOLY U.S. National Championship. For official rules and qualification information, please visit www.monopoly.com. To be eligible, a player must be at least 21 years old on April 14, 2009, and be a citizen of the United States.

For the first time in tournament history, players will play with the MONOPOLY speed die, a new die now included with the traditional game that increases the pace of game play. Players will continue the tradition of competing on the classic MONOPOLY game board based on the streets of Atlantic City, from Mediterranean Avenue to Boardwalk.

The first MONOPOLY World Championships took place in Washington, D.C., in 1973. Since then, 12 MONOPOLY tycoons have earned the title of World Champion. World Champions have hailed from 10 different countries, including Spain, Italy, Japan, Ireland, United Kingdom and the United States. The last champion, Antonio Fernandez of Spain, earned the title in 2004 at the World Championship in Tokyo.

In 2009, Hasbro will release a new edition of MONOPOLY that will keep aspiring tycoons on their toes. MONOPOLY Family Game Night: Championship Edition introduces tournament rules and scoring to the home, inviting families to run their own nail-biting competitions. The game includes a customizable MONOPOLY trophy for the at-home champion. The Championship Edition will be available in Fall 2009 for an approximate retail price of $19.99.

About MONOPOLY
Since 1935, more than 250 million copies of MONOPOLY have been sold in 103 countries and 37 languages. More than 200 different editions of the game have been published, but the most popular continues to be the classic "Number Nine." Affectionately known by its original product number, "Number Nine" is based on the streets of Atlantic City and is nearly identical to Charles Darrow's original submission to Parker Brothers. The MONOPOLY name and logo, the distinctive design of the game board, the four corner squares, the MR. MONOPOLY name and the character, as well as each of the distinctive elements of the board and playing pieces are trademarks of Hasbro for its property trading game and game equipment. © 2009 Hasbro, All Rights Reserved.

About HASBRO
Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.