{
  "id": 10684521,
  "title": "Sony Japan tries an anti-scalper lottery system for PS5 Pro orders, locks systems behind a 60-hour playtime requirement",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/sony-japan-tries-an-anti-scalper-lottery-system-for-ps5-pro-orders",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-29T11:32:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Hardware",
    "slug": "tom-s-hardware",
    "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/playstation/sony-japan-tries-an-anti-scalper-lottery-system-for-ps5-pro-orders-locks-systems-behind-a-60-hour-playtime-requirement-strict-lottery-system-blocks-scalpers-and-tourists-in-japan-requires-a-domestic-account-to-buy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sony Japan has introduced a lottery system for pre-orders of the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro in an effort to curb scalping and ensure legitimate buyers receive the consoles. This move comes amid high demand and limited availability, as the coveted device is in short supply. As with other tech giants, Sony aims to prevent scalpers from swooping in and buying up all the units, instead prioritizing genuine consumers.\n\nTo participate in the PS5 Pro pre-order lottery, applicants must possess a Japanese PlayStation Network (PSN) account and have a minimum of 60 hours of gaming time on either a PS4 or PS5 within the last two years. This requirement aims to filter out bots and scalpers, ensuring the consoles go to those who intend to use them for personal gaming enjoyment.\n\nThe PS5 Pro pre-order application and purchase conditions were announced on September 28, 2026, and applications will be accepted until October 7. Successful applicants will be able to purchase their units starting October 26, with sales contingent on the availability of stock. If the demand exceeds supply, the remaining units will be distributed through a lottery process.\n\nThe PS5 Pro has been on the market for approximately two years, since its launch in November 2024. However, prices for the device have seen a significant surge this year due to a high demand for key components, which have found their way to AI data centers. This price inflation has not seemingly dampened the enthusiasm for the PS5/Pro consoles, indicating that demand is actually on the rise, at least partly driven by the impending release of Rockstar’s highly anticipated game, GTA 6.",
  "summary": "In the face of strong demand and device shortages, Sony has decided to filter PlayStation 5 Pro purchasers in Japan using a lottery system.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}