The Pokemon Company Explores Government ID Verification to Stop Scalpers in Japan
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
The Pokemon Company is considering using Japan's government-issued My Number ID cards starting in August 2026 to combat rampant scalping and cheating in the Pokemon Trading Card Game.
The Pokemon Company is taking a hard line against the relentless scalping crisis affecting the Pokemon Trading Card Game. According to a report by IGN South Africa and Automaton, the company is considering implementing a strict ID verification system in Japan starting in August 2026. This measure would require fans to scan a government issued social security card, known locally as a My Number card, to access specific services and purchase high demand products.
Scalping has plagued physical card games and collector markets for years, pricing out genuine fans and frustrating communities who just want to open packs or play competitively. By tying purchases and event entries to verified national identification, publishers hope to eliminate automated bot rings and large scale operations that scoop up inventory in seconds. Previous attempts to limit sales to local citizens helped, but dedicated resellers continue to find workarounds.
While moving toward government identification for hobby purchases is a drastic step, it highlights just how severe the secondary market problem has become. For players and collectors who view these cards as social currency and creative outlets rather than purely financial assets, any move toward genuine fairness is welcome. It remains to be seen how this policy might influence regional strategies outside of Japan, but the gaming industry is watching closely as physical storefronts search for definitive solutions to protect their communities.
Tags: Pokemon TCG, Tabletop, Gaming News, Industry Trends, Collectibles
Original article: IGN South Africa