The Pokémon Company, operators of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, has already begun implementing "My Number Card" real-name verification for some lottery sales events held in August. This move aims to combat issues like reselling and improper registrations.
Now, another card game titan, Bandai (BANDAI CARD GAMES), announced on August 5th that it is also developing a "My Number Card" identity verification system for its trading card game brand, "BANDAI TCG+". The initial rollout, slated for September, will focus on official event registrations within Japan, with potential expansion to other uses being evaluated for the future.
The "My Number Card" (マイナンバーカード) is a 12-digit unique identification document issued to all residents of Japan, including foreign nationals holding residence cards. It serves multiple functions, acting as an ID card, health insurance card, and allowing for the printing of official documents (like resident certificates) at convenience stores.
The new system will leverage the My Number Card verification feature provided by "MOALA," an event management service from playground Inc., based in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Users will simply read the IC chip embedded in their "My Number Card," allowing them to link their MOALA account with their BANDAI TCG+ account to complete identity verification.
Bandai also emphasized that the company will not acquire or store users' "My Number Card" information, utilizing only the officially certified mechanism for identity confirmation.
The "BANDAI TCG+" brand currently encompasses popular card games such as the ONE PIECE Card Game, Digimon Card Game, UNION ARENA, Gundam Card Game, Dragon Ball Super Card Game Fusion World, and the long-running Battle Spirits. Players are keenly watching how widely this new system will be applied across these titles.
In recent years, the Japanese trading card market has been plagued by rampant scalping, mass purchases by resellers, and fraudulent registrations for limited-edition card events and subsequent resales. This has led the industry to increasingly adopt the "My Number Card" as an identity verification tool.
Of course, the actual effectiveness of this measure will only become clear after its implementation. Given that its initial scope is limited, various card game brands may need time to assess the optimal extent of its application.