New Zealander Becomes Four-Time National SCRABBLE® Champion Winning $10,000 Prize In Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Spread the word.  Nigel Richards, 45, a New Zealand security analyst who lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has won the National SCRABBLE ^® Championship for the fourth time—his third consecutive win—setting two new records.  First prize is $10,000 and bragging rights among the world's 25,000 tournament SCRABBLE ^® players.  Richards is also the current World SCRABBLE ^® Champion.  Richards finished the tournament with a 22-9 record and a +1579 point spread.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120815/NY58215 )

David Gibson, 61, a Spartanburg, SC math professor who won the Nationals in 1994 placed second.  Gibson finished with a 22-9 record and +1563 point spread.  In third place was 24 year-old Jesse Day of Berkeley, CA.  Day completed the championship with a 21-10 record and +1789 point spread.

More than 350 word wizards from 41 states and 5 countries played for five days at the Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, FL.

Internet coverage including standings, play-along games, color commentary and photos is featured on www.scrabbleplayers.org.  For all things SCRABBLE ^® visit the National SCRABBLE ^® Association's website www.scrabbleassociation.com.  SCRABBLE ^® is a trademark of Hasbro in the United States and Canada

About Hasbro:Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company's world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP,  NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY.  The Company's Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for markets around the world. Programming in the U.S. is distributed on The Hub TV Network, a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communication. Through the Company's deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." Learn more at www.hasbro.com. © 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE National SCRABBLE(R) Championship

Copyright 2011 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.