The Pokemon Company is implementing unprecedented ID-guarded protections on its official online store, restricting sales of certain trading card game (TCG) decks and expansion packs to Japanese citizens only. This move is an apparent effort to combat widespread scalping within the popular collectible card game market.
The affected products include the Pokémon Card Game Mega Expansion Pack 30th Celebration Box, the Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Futuristic Box, the Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Espeon and Umbreon Premium Deck Set, and the Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Card Set. To purchase these items, customers must provide proof of Japanese citizenship via a government-issued ID card, utilized through the Digital Identification App.
This policy follows earlier initiatives by The Pokemon Company to deter scalpers. Previously, facial recognition scans were introduced at select card stores in Japan, aimed at ensuring a safe shopping environment and preventing rule violations for customers of elementary school age and older. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa had previously indicated that My Number IDs would be required for specific purchases to address scalping concerns in the Pokemon TCG space.
The issue of scalping extends beyond the Pokemon TCG. Recent incidents include significant demand for Disney's Princess-themed Lorcana packs at theme parks and stores in the United States and Europe, leading to temporary closures to manage crowds. Merchandise from other popular intellectual properties has also been affected, with limited-edition items like One Piece x Popeye’s bento boxes and Pokemon Pop-Tarts appearing on resale markets at highly inflated prices.