The Pokémon Company is bringing government ID verification to Pokémon Trading Card Game purchases and tournaments in Japan, and scalpers should be worried.
Starting August 2026, buying certain TCG products on the official Pokémon Center online store and entering official tournaments will require fans to scan Japan’s My Number card, a government-issued photo ID tied to a 12-digit social security number. The scan links directly to a player’s Trainer Club account.
The move targets two growing problems. First, scalpers running multiple accounts to bulk-buy sought-after card sets like the Japan-exclusive Ninja Spinner expansion. Second, tournament cheaters who were caught using fake accounts and lying about their age at last year’s Yokohama Championships.
The Pokémon Company has not confirmed exactly which products will require the check, but the August 2026 rollout is already locked in.
The Pokémon TCG scalping era in Japan might finally have an expiry date.
Source: Original Article
