The Pokemon Company in Japan is rolling out a new anti-scalping measure at card stores, using facial recognition checks to monitor customer visits. The system is intended to help stores identify whether a person has entered more than once in a single day, a step aimed at limiting repeat purchases tied to resale activity.
The move targets a long-running problem around Pokemon TCG demand, where popular products can sell out quickly and later appear on the resale market at higher prices. By checking for multiple same-day entries, stores appear to be trying to make it harder for scalpers to use repeat visits to secure more stock.
According to the description of the policy, the system is also being framed as a way to help prevent crime. That places the new checks in a broader store-security context, not just a response to trading card shortages and resale pressure.
The decision highlights how valuable and competitive the Pokemon card market has become in Japan. It also shows how retailers are turning to more advanced technology to manage customer behavior as demand for Pokemon TCG products continues to draw heavy traffic.
