Pokémon stores in Japan are rolling out facial recognition checks as a measure to combat Pokémon Trading Card Game scalping, according to reports. The Pokémon Company says the system is intended to “prevent crime,” and it is being implemented at card retail locations to restrict access and purchasing opportunities. Multiple outlets describe the checks as required for entry and for making purchases, linking the rollout to ongoing concerns that scalpers buy up highly sought-after cards and resell them at higher prices.
While details vary by outlet, the common thread is that the company is using biometric verification rather than relying solely on traditional purchase limits or retail staffing. The policy is framed as an enforcement tool to identify or deter repeat offenders and reduce the impact of large-scale reselling. The rollout is described as part of broader countermeasures the Pokémon Company has discussed previously, aimed at protecting legitimate customers and reducing disruptive buying patterns in card stores in Japan.
