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US Congress bans Ticket bots

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  • 09-12-2016 2:43pm
    #1
    Zardoz
    Registered Users Posts: 5,785 ✭✭✭


    This has been discussed in other threads but I think its worthy of its own thread .

    The days of the ticket bots may be numbered ,in the US at least .

    http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/08/business/media/ticket-scalping-bots-act.html?_r=0
    With public attention focused on the scourge of online ticket scalping, Congress has passed a bill outlawing bots, or computer programs that let users scoop up the best tickets and resell them at inflated prices.

    On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the Better Online Ticket Sales Act, or BOTS Act, with bipartisan support, following the bill’s passage a week ago in the Senate. It will now go to the White House for President Obama’s signature.

    The bill accomplishes what advocates like Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of “Hamilton,” have long pushed for. It would make it illegal to circumvent the security measures of ticketing websites, which bots often do, and would give enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission.

    Ticketmaster has estimated that bots have been used to buy 60 percent of the most desirable tickets to many shows.

    It's not as big an issue on this side of the ocean but none the less hopefully it will help the average concert goer get better access to tickets.

    Of course the bots are only a small part of the problem .
    The National Association of Ticket Brokers, a group of about 200 ticket resellers that do not use bots,emphasized that ticket holds placed by artists, teams, and venues mean that only 46 percent of tickets become available to the public at sale time, "which is the reason events sell out too quickly and lead to frustration over supply and market price."

    This article by the former ceo of Ticketmaster outlines the different issues
    https://theringer.com/ticket-industry-problem-solution-e4b3b71fdff6#.lgk458lbl


Comments

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    #2
    sabrewulf
    Registered Users Posts: 405 ✭✭sabrewulf


    My personal preference would be the market pricing of all tickets at the original primary outlet.

    It's so frustrating when a huge act is announced for Ireland and then we see ticket prices starting from €60... Obviously meaning that only 5% to 15% of the tickets will make it to the general sale.

    I also wish there was an exact seat booking for gigs here, like there is in Germany.

    Just give it transparent market prices!


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