Monopoly Go! is addictive - here's how it really makes you spend

If you’ve found yourself searching “Should I delete Monopoly Go?” or “Is Monopoly Go a scam?” then I have been exactly where you are.

I didn’t think I’d ever spend real money on a mobile game – I’ve never been tempted to speed up the crop growth on my farm, or buy more jewels. I especially didn’t think I’d become the person hiding app purchases from my partner. But Monopoly Go! has a way of slowly nudging you down a path you barely notice until you are already halfway along it.

What is Monopology Go! and why is it so addictive?

On the surface, Monopoly Go! is simple. Roll dice, move around a board, collect rewards, complete sticker sets. No skill, no strategy, just luck and repetition. A mindfulness exercise in a stressful world.

But under the hood, it is a masterclass in behavioural design. Limited time events, flashing offers, countdown clocks, near misses, reward streaks and things to collect. All of it designed to keep you tapping and, eventually, spending. And here is the part that really got me. The game learns you.

My partner and I were playing at the same time. We compared offers one evening and realised we were being shown completely different deals. The game knew I was willing to spend more, so it charged me more. Same product. Higher price. Because my behaviour told it I would pay.

That is not coincidence. That is data-driven pricing designed to extract the maximum from each player.

For me, it started with 99p payments. That felt harmless. Then came the £1.99 offers. Then £4.99 if it looked like a particularly “good deal”. Except, of course, there is no such thing as a good deal when what you are buying is pictures of dice to roll on a screen.

Before long I was justifying it. “It’s less than a pint in the pub and I’m having a good time.”, “At least I’m not going out spending money elsewhere.” Classic rationalisations. Even more classic was becoming vague when my partner asked how much I’d spent, another warning sign I ignored for longer than I should have.

How much money have you spent on Monopoly Go or other mobile games?

This is the question most people only ask after the damage is done. Because spending happens in tiny increments, it rarely feels serious in the moment. Just double tap -a few pounds here, a quick top-up there… Each one small enough to dismiss. Until you add them up.

If you play Monopoly Go!, check your bank transactions for “Scopely”. It might be eye-opening. That was certainly my turning point. When I’m busy or tired, I am guilty of seeing Apple Pay transactions go out regularly and thinking it’s none of my business what they’re for, but this brought me up short.

Is Monopoloy Go! gambling?

Legally, no. There is no cash prize, no withdrawal and no winnings in real-world money.

But emotionally and behaviourally, it ticks many of the same boxes. You spend real money for a chance at a reward - the reward fuels further play - the cycle repeats. There is no skill involved, just hope that the next roll will be the one that unlocks the next milestone.

When spending becomes secretive, justified, or hard to stop, those are recognised warning signs of harmful patterns. Whether we call it gambling or gaming, the impact on your wallet can look remarkably similar.

Should you delete Monopoly Go?

Only you can answer that. But if you recognise any of this:

• you are spending more than you planned
• you are justifying purchases to yourself
• you feel uneasy telling someone how much you have spent
• you are checking in constantly to avoid missing events

Then it might be time to step back.

Final thoughts

Monopoly Go! is not a scam. It is clever, polished, and very good at what it does. But what it does is encourage you to spend money on something that never truly delivers a finish line.

So if you are asking yourself whether to keep playing, consider this. The house always wins, and there are other quick ways to spark joy that don’t involve spending money on something that can disappear in seconds.

Need support?

If anything in this article feels a little too familiar, you’re not alone. These games are built to be habit forming, so feeling caught out by them is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Spending more than you planned, hiding purchases, or feeling anxious about your gameplay are all signs it might be time to talk to someone. Support is free, confidential, and available right now.

GamCare offers help for anyone affected by gambling or gambling like behaviour, including spending in online games. You can call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, available 24/7, or access live chat and resources at their website.

If you need help getting your money back on track more broadly, MoneyWellness provides free and confidential debt and budgeting support.

Recognising the problem is the hardest step. Reaching out is the next one, and there’s no wrong time to do it.