The Pokemon Company is testing some major new methods of combat Pokemon TCG scalpers in Japan, is implementing facial recognition software in several stores. The change is intended to combat duplicate purchases and unauthorized intrusion Pokemon TCG stores.
The recent revival of Pokemon TCG has been combined with an increase in scalpers and retailers looking to capitalize on its popularity. Scalping has been a rampant problem in the trading card game 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 steps to curb scalping and allow more people to buy Pokémon products, including setting limits on how many boxes individual customers can purchase. 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 implements facial recognition to stop scalpers
The Pokemon Company is implementing a new policy with a set of pop-up stores in Japan, which use facial recognition technology. The stores will require customers who are elementary school age or older to undergo facial recognition, both when they enter the stores and when they are ticketed for the queue. The facial recognition software allows only one entry and queue ticket per person per day, denying access to anyone visiting the store for the second time that day. The policy aims to curb duplicate purchases by scalpers who want to resell Pokémon products for profit, while identifying known scalpers before entry. The software will be implemented in five pop-ups Pokémon stores around Japan from July 31st to August 16th, although no information has been given on a permanent rollout.
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The anti-scalping measures join broader efforts by 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 Pokémon Company International has similarly introduced new restrictions of its own, including a ban on the sale of graded cards at major Pokemon TCG events. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa even addressed the scalping issue during an AGM, 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 lineups debuting throughout the year. Ascended Heroes officially launched 2026 in January as one of the most anticipated expansions in recent years, with several 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. Pokémon also have a large set more already confirmed for 2026.
The Pokemon TCG will honor the franchise's 30th anniversary this September with the release of the 30th Celebration expansion. 30th Celebration will feature reprints of several of the most iconic cards from 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, which already showcase stunning full art versions of both Mewtwo and Mew. Pokémon fans should have plenty to be excited about from the game's anniversary lineup, as long as The Pokemon Company can keep the scalps at bay.
