No, J.K. Rowling does not receive any direct royalties from the sale of a used copy of Hogwarts Legacy in 2026. When you buy a used game from a shop or a private seller, the money goes entirely to the seller; the original publisher (Warner Bros.) and the IP holder (Rowling) only profit from the initial "new" sale. However, she does still benefit indirectly from the "brand health"—having more active players keeps the Wizarding World IP relevant, which drives revenue for her other ventures like the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series or theme park expansions. If your goal in 2026 is to experience the game without financially contributing to the creator, buying a physical used disc is the most direct way to do so. A supportive peer reality: if you buy a "Digital" copy on sale, she does still get a cut, so the "used physical market" is the only true way to bypass the royalty stream.