Pokemon card stores in Japan are reportedly requiring facial recognition for both entry and purchases, marking a stricter response to ongoing scalping around the Pokemon Trading Card Game. The move comes as demand for Pokemon cards remains strong and resale activity continues to cause frustration for regular buyers.
The Pokemon Company has already acknowledged the scalper problem and said it was considering measures to limit abuse. Based on the latest report, those anti-scalper efforts now appear to be reaching stores in a more direct way, with identity checks tied to access and transactions.
Facial recognition would be a notable step because it could make repeat bulk buying and other reseller tactics harder to manage. For fans, the goal is likely to improve fairness and give ordinary customers a better chance of buying products at normal retail prices.
The report highlights how serious the Pokemon card scalping issue has become in Japan as the trading card game stays highly popular. While only limited details are available, the development suggests The Pokemon Company and related retailers are prepared to use stronger retail technology to address the problem.
