Monopoly is launching a Christmas hotline to stop family arguments

Because ringing a third party always helps soothe a family row, right?

Monopoly is launching a Christmas hotline to stop family arguments

The family argument. As woven into Yuletide tradition as pigs-in-blanket and pre-breakfast boozing, and now at serious risk of becoming extinct.

At least that’s if Hasbro, the creators of Monopoly, have anything to do with it.

Following in the humanitarian footsteps of Crisis and the Samaritans, the board game manufacturer is laying on a dedicated hotline between 24 and 26 December, to act as peacemaker among warring family members and all their London-based property game angst.

A recent poll revealed that 51% of all Monopoly games end in dispute, with the most common complaints being that players make up rules, steal from the bank or – and this one teeters on unforgivable – act “too cocky” when things are going their way. We can only assume Hasbro has decided to step in before the inevitable “Monopoly murder” headlines become a thing.


Related: 17 ways to win at Monopoly every single time


The free-to-call helpline can be reached on 0800 689 4903, and its operators (that we sincerely hope are being paid time-and-a-half for this horseshit) are ready and waiting to explain the official rulebook, how best to resolve common complaints and, presumably, judge whether or not your older brother is “a prick because he was the race car last year and you can’t just fucking ‘call shotgun’.”

So if you’re likely to dust off the game this weekend, maybe input the number in your phone as a pre-emptive measure. Just don’t expect an answer around 6pm, as this is the time most commonly linked with a family barney.

Merry Christmas and, hang on, what’s the deal with Free Parking, again?

(Pic: iStock)

Marc Chacksfield
Content Director

As Content Director of Shortlist, Marc likes nothing more than to compile endless lists of an evening by candlelight. He started out life as a movie writer for numerous (now defunct) magazines and soon found himself online - editing a gaggle of gadget sites, including TechRadar, Digital Camera World and Tom's Guide UK. At Shortlist you'll find him mostly writing about movies and tech, so no change there then.