HBO's 'McMillions' Docuseries Explores the McDonald’s Monopoly Game Scam
A scandal that lasted over a decade.
HBO‘s latest docuseries McMillions will spotlight the stranger-than-fiction story of ex-cop turned security auditor Jerry Jacobson, aka “Uncle Jerry,” who rigged the McDonald’s Monopoly game for over a decade.
Directed by James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte, the six-part docuseries will delve deep into McDonald’s Monopoly game scam, and how Jacobson managed to steal millions of dollars while building a vast network of co-conspirators across the U.S. The documentary will include firsthand interviews and archival footage from the FBI agents who brought down the gaming scam; McDonald’s corporate executives, those who were defrauded; the lawyers who tried the case; and the culprits and prizewinners who profited from the complicated scheme, as well those who were duped.
“Uncle Jerry,” who worked for the production company that made the McDonald’s Monopoly game pieces, sold them off to “a sprawling network of mobsters, psychics, strip-club owners, convicts, drug traffickers, and even a family of Mormons, who had falsely claimed more than $24 million in cash and prizes.” More than 50 people were convicted of mail fraud and conspiracy.
“This story has got everything,” a series of interviewees intone at the start of the trailer state, “revenge, drugs, greed, Ronald McDonald.”
McMillions is based off of a 2018 Daily Beast story by Jeff Maysh. McDonald’s Monopoly game, which ran between 1987 and 2001, saw customers collecting game pieces for a chance to win prizes ranging from free small fries to $1 million USD or a new car.
McMillions premieres on HBO February 3.
In more entertainment news, Netflix revealed Ozark‘s season 3 premiere date along with a first look.
