Pokemon makes facial recognition mandatory at new Japan TCG stores to combat scalping

Gaming Pokemon Pokemon makes facial recognition mandatory at new Japan TCG stores to combat scalping by Zackerie Fairfax Published: Jul 26, 2026, 17:59 Pokemon is introducing mandatory facial-recognition checks at five temporary Pokemon Card Stores in Japan, requiring shoppers to pass a scan before entering or collecting a queue ticket. The system will be used at pop-up locations running from July 31 to Aug. 16 at AEON Mall Natori, Chofu PARCO, AEON Mall Higashiura, AEON Mall Hiroshima Fuchu, and AEON Mall Chikushino. All five stores are opening to celebrate the launch of the Pokemon TCG Mega expansion Storm Emerald. They will sell Pokemon cards, Pokemon Center merchandise, plush toys, and other products while also hosting free events for players. Although Pokemon has not explicitly described facial recognition as an anti-scalping measure, the technology will prevent shoppers from entering multiple times to make additional purchases. 🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Pokémon Stores in Japan to Roll Out Mandatory Facial Recognition to Block Resellers and Scalping Pokémon Stores in Japan will begin requiring facial recognition for entry and queue-ticket collection starting with the next round of pop-up locations, a sharp… https://t.co/9uYTvcVoqA pic.twitter.com/UhqRcn2mgI — ItsMeCooper (@ItsaMeCooper) July 26, 2026 Pokemon facial recognition system rejects repeat visits According to an official Pokemon TCG notice updated on July 24, every shopper of elementary-school age or older must undergo facial recognition when entering a store and receiving a numbered queue ticket. Preschool children are exempt, but they cannot enter alone and must be accompanied by a guardian. Each person is limited to one store entry and one queue ticket per day. If the system detects that someone has entered twice or collected more than one ticket, an alert will appear, and the person will automatically be denied entry. Customers must also notify a member of staff before temporarily leaving the store. Anyone who exits without staff confirmation will not be allowed back inside that day, even if they left without completing a purchase. Consent to the facial-recognition system is a condition of entry. Shoppers who refuse the scan or do not agree to the rules will be denied both store access and a queue ticket. Pokemon says it will collect each affected customer’s number of visits and facial-image data. The information will be securely stored for an unspecified period before being deleted. Related Pokemon may introduce government ID checks to stop scalpers buying up cards Store fights Pokemon scalpers with a mandatory quiz Japan launches taskforce to crack down on trading card scalpers and fakes The company officially describes the system as a way to provide a safe shopping environment, prevent crime, and enforce admission and purchasing restrictions fairly. While resellers are not named, preventing repeat entry also makes it harder for professional buyers to repeatedly purchase limited stock before genuine collectors and children get the opportunity. The measure follows Pokemon’s separate proposal to introduce My Number identity checks for certain Pokemon Center Online sales, lotteries, and official events in Japan. That system remains under consideration for a possible launch around August 2026 and has not yet been implemented. Pokemon has not announced plans to bring facial recognition to permanent Pokemon Centers or stores outside Japan.