Today spelled V-I-C-T-O-R-Y for Nigel Richards, a New Zealander and resident of Malaysia, who was named the winner of the 2013 National SCRABBLE Championship. Richards, a 45-year-old professional SCRABBLE player and reigning World Champion, took home the $10,000 prize and has now won the title five times, four times consecutively. Richards’ final record was 24 wins, 7 losses and 1934 cumulative points.

The first National SCRABBLE Championship took place in New York City in 1978 and this was the first time the event has been held in Las Vegas since 1987. It was organized by the North American SCRABBLE Players Association (NASPA), the nonprofit organization licensed by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) to administer competitive play in the United States and Canada. NASPA has over 14,000 players with official tournament ratings who compete in weekly tournaments and at sanctioned clubs across the continent.
The SCRABBLE game has been a family favorite since the 1930s when it was invented by Alfred Mosher Butts, an out-of-work architect from Poughkeepsie, NY. Today, it remains one of the most popular and iconic word games with millions of games played by both competitive and casual SCRABBLE enthusiasts of all ages. The SCRABBLE game has also reached a new community of players in the digital space with more than 15 versions of the digital game from Hasbro licensees including the popular SCRABBLE for iPad and SCRABBLE for iPhone games. For additional information, photos and commentary on the competition, visit the NASPA website at: http://tinyurl.com/2013NSC About Hasbro Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling the fundamental need for play for children and families through the creative expression of the Company’s world class brand portfolio, including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, NERF and LITTLEST PET SHOP. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere. The Company's Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for more than 170 markets around the world, and for the U.S. on Hub Network, part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK). 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. SCRABBLE, the associated logo, the design of the distinctive SCRABBLE brand game board, and the distinctive letter tile designs are trademarks of Hasbro in the United States and Canada. © 2013 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.HASGP