UK's Ticket Touting Ban: A Nightmare Come True for Industry
The UK's ticket touting industry has faced its worst nightmare after the government confirmed plans to outlaw reselling tickets above face value. The move comes after years of campaigning by music industry groups, consumer champions, and MPs who have repeatedly exposed the tactics used by touts to exploit fans.
The legislation, set to be implemented soon, will prohibit for-profit resale on specialist platforms such as Viagogo, StubHub, and Twickets, as well as social media. However, there will be a carve-out for special situations like the Wimbledon tennis tournament's debenture model. The new law is expected to save consumers up to £112m a year or £37 per ticket.
The ban on reselling tickets above face value has been welcomed by fans who have long suffered from the exploitative practices of touts. However, the resale sites are already reeling from the news, with shares in StubHub Holdings plummeting 25% since the announcement.
Resale sites argue that their platforms offer guarantees and refunds if something goes wrong, but critics say this is just a smokescreen for profiteering. Longtime anti-touting campaigners have expressed skepticism about the new law, citing concerns over potential loopholes and increased fraud rates.
Government officials, however, are confident that the legislation will protect consumers. "We've not seen any evidence [of increased fraud]," said Business Department minister Kate Dearden. "What we do know is that the current system is ripping off fans."
The move marks a significant shift in the UK's approach to ticket touting, and it remains to be seen how the resale industry will adapt to the new laws. One thing is certain, however: the worst nightmare for touts has finally come true, and fans can look forward to cheaper tickets without the risk of being ripped off by unscrupulous resellers.
The UK's ticket touting industry has faced its worst nightmare after the government confirmed plans to outlaw reselling tickets above face value. The move comes after years of campaigning by music industry groups, consumer champions, and MPs who have repeatedly exposed the tactics used by touts to exploit fans.
The legislation, set to be implemented soon, will prohibit for-profit resale on specialist platforms such as Viagogo, StubHub, and Twickets, as well as social media. However, there will be a carve-out for special situations like the Wimbledon tennis tournament's debenture model. The new law is expected to save consumers up to £112m a year or £37 per ticket.
The ban on reselling tickets above face value has been welcomed by fans who have long suffered from the exploitative practices of touts. However, the resale sites are already reeling from the news, with shares in StubHub Holdings plummeting 25% since the announcement.
Resale sites argue that their platforms offer guarantees and refunds if something goes wrong, but critics say this is just a smokescreen for profiteering. Longtime anti-touting campaigners have expressed skepticism about the new law, citing concerns over potential loopholes and increased fraud rates.
Government officials, however, are confident that the legislation will protect consumers. "We've not seen any evidence [of increased fraud]," said Business Department minister Kate Dearden. "What we do know is that the current system is ripping off fans."
The move marks a significant shift in the UK's approach to ticket touting, and it remains to be seen how the resale industry will adapt to the new laws. One thing is certain, however: the worst nightmare for touts has finally come true, and fans can look forward to cheaper tickets without the risk of being ripped off by unscrupulous resellers.
finally the uk is taking a stand against those awful ticket touts! i've been saying it for ages that they're just a bunch of scammers preying on fans who are desperate to get tickets to their fave concerts. and now the government is stepping in to put an end to it all! 
the fact that we could be looking at saving £112m a year or £37 per ticket is just mind blown 
i know some of the resale sites might be panicking about the new law, but let's be real they're not exactly doing anyone any favors. their prices are already way higher than face value and it's just not fair to fans who are trying to buy tickets for a reasonable price. fingers crossed this new law goes smoothly and we can enjoy cheaper concert tix without worrying about being ripped off 
they're gonna have to find new ways to make that extra cash 
they deserve it 
and £112m is no joke, thats like, a lot of money 
but idk if this law will really solve the problem, theres always gonna be some loophole or scam waiting to happen 
but at least now they'll know not to get ripped off by those shady resellers 
i've been saying it for ages - touting is such a scam 
the fact that theyre making £112m a year from selling tickets above face value is just wild 
i mean im not saying the resale sites are saints or anything, but they have to be held accountable for their actions 
lets see how this plays out and if it actually makes a difference for fans like me who just wanna get tickets without breaking the bank 
the whole idea of 'for profit' resale is just so unfair to regular people who want to go see a gig or a match... like what's wrong with buying tickets at face value if you can afford it? anyway, i'm curious to see how the resale sites adapt and whether they find ways to get around the law 
. On one hand, it's awesome that fans will have more control over their ticket prices 
.
. What if the resale sites start selling tickets at a loss just to avoid getting shut down? It's like they're playing a game of musical chairs 
, but instead of chairs, it's all about finding loopholes 
.
? That's still not clear. How will that fit into the new laws?
. But, for now, I'm keeping an eye on this situation 
. Will it all work out in the end? Only time will tell 
.
i mean who doesn't hate buying tickets from those greedy sites where they're selling them way above face value? i've had so many friends and family members get scammed by those touts, it's just ridiculous. at least now the gov is stepping in to protect us consumers 
. it's all about protecting consumers and giving them the experience they deserve 
. I mean, I get it, fans hate being ripped off, but this law is gonna create all sorts of problems... like who's gonna police all these online transactions? 
It's just a big mess waiting to happen...
. But, I guess only time will tell if this legislation really lives up to its promise of protecting consumers and rooting out the scoundrels 
!
meanwhile, the number of fans affected by touting scams has skyrocketed to over 10 million people 
stats show that 9 out of 10 scalpers are men aged between 25-35