Monopoly replaces paper money with real euros in limited French editions

Hasbro announced there would be 80 editions - hidden among 30,000 - that would contain real money

Monopoly will be giving away real money inside selected French boxes (Getty Images)

The makers of classic family board game Monopoly are giving away 80 limited edition sets that will contain real money.

To celebrate the game’s 80 anniversary in France, the game company behind Monopoly has replaced the paper money usually found in the games with euros, and one lucky player could end up purchasing a set worth over €20,000.

Board game manufacturer Hasbro has placed real money in 80 French sets, out of 30,000 junior, classic, electronic and ‘vintage’ varieties, one of which will have all its paper notes replaced by real money to the tune of €20,580.

10 sets will contain five €20 notes, two €50 notes and one €100 note.

Prizes will be discovered in 69 sets, which will contain fie €10 notes and five €20 notes.

Hasbro France brand manager Florence Gaillard said: “We wanted to do something unique”.

Ms Gaillard said the idea came from customer feedback, with many telling the company – which has manufactured the popular family game since 1935 – they wanted to find real money in their packs.

The selected games were carefully packed up in total secrecy in the eastern French town of Creutzwald, ensuring they appeared exactly the same as ‘normal’ versions.

Ms Gaillard told the Guardian they did encounter one problem: packing the games full of real money, while not affecting the weight of the box, did make the packaging bulge – providing a clue to the canny customer.

Monopoly is available in 111 countries, in 43 languages, with the longest game on record (according to Hasbro) lasting for 70 days.

Approximately 500,000 sets are sold in France every year.