The Pokemon Company is testing some major new methods to combat Pokemon TCG scalpers in Japan, implementing facial recognition software in several stores. The change is intended to combat duplicate purchases and unauthorized entry into Pokemon TCG stores.
The recent resurgence of the Pokemon TCG has been coupled with a spike in scalpers and resellers looking to profit from its popularity. Scalping has been a rampant problem within the trading card game’s community, with many popular sets being quickly bought out and resold for significant markups. Retailers like Wal-Mart and Target and even the Japanese government, have taken action to curb scalping and allow more people to buy Pokemon products, including placing restrictions on how many boxes individual customers can buy. Now, the Japanese branch of The Pokemon Company is taking matters into its own hands to prevent scalpers from buying out new products.
Pokemon TCG Implementing Facial Recognition to Stop Scalpers
The Pokemon Company is implementing a new policy with a set of pop-up stores in Japan, utilizing facial recognition technology. The stores will require customers who are elementary-school age or older to undergo facial recognition, both when entering the stores and when receiving a ticket for the queue. The facial recognition software will only allow one entry and queue ticket per person per day, and deny access to anyone visiting the store for the second time that day. The policy aims to curb duplicate purchases by scalpers looking to resell Pokemon products for profit, while also identifying known scalpers before entry. The software will be implemented in five pop-up Pokemon stores around Japan from July 31 to August 16, though no information has been given about a permanent rollout.
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The anti-scalping measures join broader efforts from The Pokemon Company as a whole to combat the ongoing problem. The Japanese branch of the company previously instituted government ID checks on the Pokemon Center website, requiring users to link their official ID to their account. The Pokemon Company International has similarly introduced new restrictions of its own, including banning the sale of graded cards at major Pokemon TCG events. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa even spoke on the scalping issue during a shareholders’ meeting, confirming that Nintendo was working with The Pokemon Company to address the issue.
The Pokemon TCG has had a big year so far in 2026, with several exciting sets debuting throughout the year. Ascended Heroes officially kicked off 2026 in January as one of the most highly-anticipated expansions in recent years, containing multiple cards selling for more than $1,000 on the secondary market. The trading card game has already released four major expansions in 2026, following Ascended Heroes with Perfect Order, Chaos Rising, and most recently the Pitch Black expansion. Pokemon also has one more big set already confirmed for 2026.
The Pokemon TCG will honor the franchise’s 30th anniversary in September with the launch of the 30th Celebration expansion. 30th Celebration will feature reprints of several of the most iconic cards from throughout the game’s history, including Base Set Charizard and Pikachu & Zekrom GX. The anniversary set will also debut a brand-new rarity with the addition of Futuristic Rare cards, already showing off stunning full-art versions of both Mewtwo and Mew. Pokemon fans should have plenty to be excited about from the game’s anniversary set, as long as The Pokemon Company can keep the scalpers at bay.
