Monopoly has become notably scarce in Russian hobby and entertainment shops, signaling a significant disruption in the market for a game that has long enjoyed broad appeal. Among the notable chains, Mosigra stores and Hobby Games outlets, which is part of Hobby World, have reported limited or no stock in recent months. This situation has prompted coverage by major Russian business outlets and trade publications, highlighting the ongoing effects of supply chain changes on a beloved, globally recognized board game.
Originally created in 1935 by American designer Charles Darrow, Monopoly has earned a place in the pantheon of classic family and strategy games. International sources rank it among the world’s best-selling board games, trailing only a few longstanding staples like checkers and chess. The game remains a cultural touchstone with enduring popularity, reflected in various regional editions and collector’s variants that continue to attract new players and nostalgic enthusiasts alike.
A RBC reporter who visited several retail outlets found that Monopoly has not been delivered to Mosigra stores since the New Year period, and ownership of the rights remains with Hasbro, the well-known American game company famous for brands like My Little Pony as well as toys tied to franchises such as Star Wars and Power Rangers. In the wake of Russia’s military actions abroad, Hasbro paused certain operations within the Russian market, further complicating supply lines for retailers and distributors. At the time of the report, Intellect-Toy indicated that Monopoly was not in stock, explaining that orders had been placed but without a clear restock date. In Children’s World, staff noted that some inventory was drawn from 2022 stock rather than new shipments.
On Hobby Games’ official site, only one collector’s edition appears in the catalog: USSR Monopoly. Meanwhile, Mosigra’s catalog retains several themed variants, including Monopoly of the USSR and The Walking Dead edition that draws from the popular TV series. These localized editions illustrate how retailers diversify their offerings in response to regional demand and availability.
Requests for comments from representatives of Mosigra, Hobby Games, and Hobby World did not receive a response through RBC’s official channels. The lack of formal statements leaves questions about current supply chains and future restocking plans, but the broader market context remains clear: while standard editions face distribution delays, collector and special editions continue to exist in limited quantities and through specific retailers.
In mid-March, official measures added related toys to the parallel import list, including Hasbro products, signaling regulatory and trade adjustments that could influence how international brands enter the Russian market going forward. Industry experts interviewed by RBC noted a renewed, if cautious, demand for board games in Russia since the previous year, driven by changes in leisure time, family activities, and the public’s search for accessible, offline entertainment options. This shift underscores how external events can ripple through consumer goods, even for products with a long-standing international footprint like Monopoly.