Ticket touts and the shady platforms enabling them to exploit fans are now set to face a significant crackdown by the government. The focus of a UK-wide consultation announced recently will be on implementing a resale price cap, a measure that the Daily Record has actively campaigned for. This move comes after years of touts taking advantage of fans with exorbitant prices, while the previous Tory government failed to take decisive action against them. The consultation, led by the departments for Business and Trade and Culture, Media & Sport, will also look into limiting practices such as “dynamic pricing,” where ticket sellers collaborate with big acts to rip off loyal fans.
MP Sir Keir Starmer had previously made a commitment to tackle the issue of ticket touting, stating that culture should be for fans and not for profiteering. The consultation aims to gather feedback from Scottish music fans who have felt exploited by ticket resellers and platforms. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray has assured that the results of the consultation will lead to concrete and resolute actions against ticket touts. The government is considering options such as capping resale price increases, restricting the number of tickets resellers can purchase, and implementing a licensing system for resale platforms to better protect consumers.
Consumer group FanFair Alliance has been instrumental in advocating for changes in the ticketing industry, highlighting exploitative practices that harm fans. The government consultation will also explore the possibility of increased consumer protection measures, including stronger penalties for violations and improved enforcement mechanisms. The goal is to ensure that fans are not taken advantage of by touts and that the live events sector benefits from ticket sales rather than profiteers.
With the support of various stakeholders in the entertainment industry, including trade body LIVE, the government is moving towards regulating the secondary ticket market to prioritize fair access for fans. The consultation is part of Keir Starmer’s broader ‘Plan for Change,’ aiming to address the longstanding issue of ticket touting and provide a fairer environment for fans to purchase tickets at reasonable prices.
In conclusion, the government’s initiative to crack down on ticket touts and overhaul the resale market is a significant step towards ensuring that fans are not exploited and that the live events sector thrives. By implementing measures such as resale price caps and stricter regulations on ticket resellers, the government aims to create a fairer and more transparent ticketing ecosystem that benefits both fans and industry stakeholders.