Laura Klonowski
After years of genuine fans being ripped off by ticket touts who buy tickets to events just to try and re-sell them at ridiculous prices, the Government has finally announced plans to fine anyone found guilty of touting.
Online ticket touts are set to face unlimited fines, and high profitable and and well known websites including Viagogo, StubHub and GetMeIn which allow people to sell tickets as a third party could now be in serious trouble as the law finally cracks down on the touts who look to rip-off genuine fans.
The touts commonly use automated bots that are able to get around security measures that are put in place to limit the amount of tickets a consumer can buy. The touts then purchase a high amount of event tickets on day of release and then try to re-sell for them for often ridiculously inflated prices.
Re-sell site Viagogo was recently criticised for “moral repugnance” as they allowed touts to re-sell tickets for an Ed Sheeran charity concert for up to £5,000. And an £85 ticket to see Adele in London last year was reportedly being sold by touts online for an eye-watering £24,840.
Culture minister Matt Hancock said about the new plans to stop touts: “This profiteering is simply not fair, so we are acting to put fans first and improve the chances of seeing our favourite musicians and sports stars at a reasonable price. “Ticket sellers also need to do more, by improving transparency and ensuring that they are acting in the best interests of consumers and help the market work for everyone.”
Popular ticket sites including Ticketmaster will now be encouraged to report bot attacks to the police in the new plans rolled out by the Government.
What do you think of the Government plans to crack down on ticket touting? Do you think it will help? Let us know your thoughts over on Twitter @CelebMix.
