Pokemon Weighs ID Checks for TCG Sales, Targeting August 2026 Rollout
Updated
Updated · Dexerto · May 21
Pokemon Weighs ID Checks for TCG Sales, Targeting August 2026 Rollout
2 articles · Updated · Dexerto · May 21
August 2026 is the earliest start date for a Pokemon Company plan to require government ID verification for select TCG lotteries, purchases and tournament applications in Japan.
The proposed system would use Japan’s My Number card through a smartphone-linked external service, with the company saying it would verify identities via electronic certificates rather than store personal ID numbers.
Pokemon said the checks would cover highly sought-after items sold through Pokemon Center Online and are meant to curb scalping while giving customers fairer access and making official events more secure.
The move follows a year of resale frenzy around Pokemon merchandise, including limited-edition books listed for $500, stolen Target displays sold online for thousands and even Pokemon Pop-Tarts resold at about 10 times retail.
As Pokémon ties purchases to national IDs, could a black market for verified accounts become scalpers' new frontier?
Will requiring a national ID to buy collectibles become the new standard for other high-demand products?