Consumer Protection has announced changes to the State’s ticket-scalping laws to give the Agency powers to issue infringement notices to people identified as re-selling concert and event tickets at a greater than allowed mark-up.
Infringement notices of $2,000 each are to also apply to the owners of ticket-selling platforms who fail to remove advertisements that breach the laws.
Executive Director for Consumer Protection, Trish Blake said under the Ticket Scalping Act, ticket re-sellers were limited to a maximum 10 per cent mark-up from the original price and re-sold tickets must disclose the location of the seat or viewing spot for each ticket.
“Offenders face a fine of $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for companies,” Ms Blake said.
“Also banned is the use of software, known as ‘bots’, which are designed to by-pass security measures in order to purchase tickets in bulk,” she said.
“This offence carries penalties of a $100,000 fine for individuals and $500,000 for companies.”
The Executive Director said infringement notices would be a useful addition to the enforcement toolkit used to combat ticket scalping.
“It may not be in the public interest to prosecute all law breakers through the courts, so being able to issue an infringement notice in minor matters and for first offenders will be a quick and efficient way of discouraging scalping, particularly online,” she said.
“However, prosecution action in the courts will be taken against people and platforms committing multiple offences and that’s where penalties will be much greater if they are found guilty,” Ms Blake said.
