Target Developed Lottery System for Collectible Cards
The retailer plans to curb bot-driven reselling by introducing a randomized drawing process for high-demand sets.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Board Games
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Target is preparing a lottery-style purchasing system for high-demand collectible trading cards. This new process intends to replace traditional online first-come, first-served checkouts to provide a fairer opportunity for customers.
Why it matters
The retailer seeks to mitigate the unfair advantage automated checkout bots provide to professional resellers. By shifting to a drawing, the company aims to ensure that genuine collectors have better access to limited-edition products.
Selected entrants gain 24 hours to secure their items, replacing the standard first-come, first-served method. Current measures at many locations already limit customers to one or two products per transaction.
The players
Target
Target is a major American big-box retailer that has previously adjusted its inventory policies for high-demand trading cards.
Walmart
Walmart is a global retail corporation that has previously implemented a drawing system to manage the sale of high-demand collectibles.
The details
Customers would enter a randomized drawing to win an opportunity to purchase cards, with requirements for account and payment verification to enforce a one-entry rule. This approach follows similar initiatives by retailers like Walmart and the Pokémon Center, which have used virtual queues and purchase caps to manage demand.
Timeline
Target temporarily stopped in-store trading card sales in 2021 following a confrontation.
The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration set launched in September 2026.
Roadmap
This move signals a broader transition in the hobby industry as retailers shift from standard e-commerce models to gated systems to combat scalpers. By adopting lottery-style mechanics, major retailers are attempting to stabilize the market for long-term collectors against volatility.
Collectors will likely need to register accounts and payment details to participate in the upcoming drawing system. If selected, buyers must complete their transaction within 24 hours to secure their allocated collectible products.
The takeaway
The implementation of a lottery system prioritizes human access over the speed of automated bots in the competitive collectible market. Readers should ensure their retail accounts are updated and monitored to participate in future drawing windows.
Further reading
For more on the evolving marketplace for hobbyists, visit our section on Board Games.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ScreenRant.
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