Pokemon may introduce government ID checks to stop scalpers buying up cards

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The Pokémon Company is exploring requiring photo ID for some trading card game and merchandise purchases to help prevent people from buying products in bulk and reselling them at inflated prices.

So, I’m hearing that they’re thinking of using Japan’s My Number card – basically their national ID – to confirm who we are when we play certain online lotteries, buy stuff, or sign up for official tournaments. It’s a way to make sure it’s really me entering, you know?

This change is designed to give customers a fair chance and create a secure environment for buying products and participating in competitions.

The Pokémon Company is considering a new system for buying certain trading card game products online and for high-demand items. If approved, this system, which would include identity verification, could launch in August 2026.

Pokemon TCG ID checks could soon be a thing

How would this system prevent scalping work? Players would prove who they are by scanning their ID with their smartphone, using a third-party service connected to their account.

The company assures users it won’t save or collect personal ID numbers. Instead, verification will happen using digital certificates and security features already on the card.

It’s unclear if this will happen in Pokémon stores outside of the initial launch region, but the goal is to make it much harder for people to buy products just to resell them at a higher price, and ultimately reduce the number of resellers currently controlling the market.

Honestly, the whole world of collecting Pokemon stuff has gotten totally crazy lately. Just this year, I’ve seen limited edition books going for five hundred bucks, stolen displays from Target popping up on eBay for thousands, and even a free card giveaway that had to shut down because things got too dangerous. It’s wild!

The limited-edition Pokemon Pop-Tarts, brought back to celebrate 30 years of the Pokemon franchise and sold exclusively at Target, are now being resold online for ten times their original price.

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2026-05-21 13:19