Nintendo Pledges Curbs on Pokémon Card Scalping After 10 Billion Cards Failed to Meet Demand
Updated
Updated · Kotaku · Jul 5
Nintendo Pledges Curbs on Pokémon Card Scalping After 10 Billion Cards Failed to Meet Demand
1 articles · Updated · Kotaku · Jul 5
Summary
Shuntaro Furukawa told shareholders Nintendo will step up action against Pokémon card scalping so players can buy products with more peace of mind.
The measures include closer cooperation with marketplace platforms, more made-to-order sales and potentially stricter buyer verification after Japan lottery sales already required government-issued ID.
Pokémon card shortages have persisted despite 10 billion cards printed in 2025, with resale demand and bulk-buying blamed for keeping stock away from players.
The crackdown follows a broader post-pandemic collectibles boom that has fueled scalper rings, robberies, shootings and other violence around the lucrative secondary market.
Will Nintendo's plan to print billions of cards actually make them cheaper for fans to buy?
Could Nintendo's war on scalpers accidentally crash the high-end market that keeps Pokémon in the spotlight?
As physical cards become million-dollar assets, is the digital TCG Pocket app the real future for players?
Pokémon Cards in Crisis: Japan’s 2026 ID Verification, Global Scalping, and a 1,350% Value Boom
Overview
Pokémon Japan is taking a bold step to fight scalping by introducing mandatory ID verification using the My Number card for product sales and events starting August 2026. This move aims to address the ongoing problem where scalpers monopolize both in-person and online product drops, causing widespread shortages and preventing genuine fans from enjoying their hobby. Highly sought-after Pokémon Center releases, often not reprinted and packed with exclusive items, are quickly sold out or resold at high prices, leading to frustration and even physical altercations. The new system responds to strong community feedback and hopes to ensure fairer access for real fans.