Consumer Protection has advised consumers to buy tickets for major events only from authorised agents as new ticket scalping laws have now come into effect.
The Agency has sent notices to seven online re-sellers advising them of the new laws and the heavy penalties they could face should they not comply.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Gary Newcombe said of particular concern was the possibility of tickets to the AFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium in Perth on 25 September being scalped.
Mr Newcombe said under the Ticket Scalping Act 2021, 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.
He said offenders faced a fine of $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for companies.
Mr Newcombe said also banned was the use of software, known as ‘bots’, which were designed to bypass security measures in order to purchase tickets in bulk.
He said this offence carried penalties of a $100,000 fine for individuals and $500,000 for companies.
“I have expressed to these sites my concern about the activities of ticket scalpers that frequently purchase tickets to major events and then re-sell those tickets at highly inflated prices,” Mr Newcombe said.
“I told them that, with the AFL Grand Final coming to Western Australia for the first time, dedicated fans should be able to confidently purchase tickets at a fairer price within the resale market.”
Consumer Protection recommended only purchasing tickets from authorised sellers to avoid any disappointment and, in the case of the Grand Final, that was the official AFL site.
“In the desperation to buy tickets to major events, such as the AFL Grand Final, consumers should not necessarily choose the outlet that comes up on top after an internet search,” Mr Newcombe said.
“Seek out the authorised seller for that event and buy through them, as you will pay the right price and protect your refund rights if the event is postponed or cancelled, which is a risk we need to be alert to during these times of COVID-19,” he said.
