Cashless Society Conditioning: 'Hi-tech Monopoly ditches cash'

The Telegraph
Jul. 26, 2006

Monopoly money could become obsolete after the makers of the 70-year old game introduced a new version where players fund property purchases using a debit card .

The Visa-branded card inserts into an electronic machine where the banker taps in cardholders' earnings and payments.

Parker, which makes Monopoly, said the replacement of cash with plastic showed the board game was moving with the times.

Company spokesman Chris Weatherhead said: "The new electronic Monopoly reflects the changing nature of society and the advancement of technology."

The launch follows a YouGov survey of 2,056 adults which showed 70% used cash less often than they did a decade ago. Spending on debit cards topped cash spending for the first time last year.

It is part of an international deal between Parker and finance giant Visa, which designed the mock debit card and its electronic machine.

Monopoly Here & Now Electronic Banking costs is priced at around £24.99 compared to £12.99 for the standard "cash" version.