Luján Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Consumers in the Online Ticket Marketplace

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation, reintroduced the Mitigating Automated Internet Networks for (MAIN) Event Ticketing Act, legislation that would and better protect consumers in the online ticket marketplace. The MAIN Event Ticketing Act boosts enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016, a law that prohibits ticket scalpers from using software to purchase high volumes of tickets.

“Far too many Americans face excessive price-gouging for tickets from online bots and resellers, and I am committed to ensure Americans can enjoy live entertainment without the fear of being scammed,” said Senator Luján. “I’m proud to join Senator Blackburn in reintroducing our MAIN Event Ticketing Act which will strengthen protections for consumers and artists from scammers. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this legislation signed into law.”

“As a cultural institution dedicated to making the performing arts accessible to all, the Santa Fe Opera applauds this bipartisan effort to better combat and enforce unfair ticketing practices and protect consumers and artists from exploitation,” said Santa Fe Opera General Director Robert K. Meya. “The MAIN Event Ticketing Act addresses critical challenges, ensuring that access to live performances remains fair and equitable to all audiences. We are grateful for Senator Luján and Senator Blackburn’s leadership on this important issue and fully support their efforts to enhance transparency and fairness in the online ticket marketplace.”

“We are fully behind this legislation,” said Lensic 360 Director Jamie Lenfestey. “Enforcement of the existing law is a great approach. In high sales season we can see as many as 96,000 bot hits on our sales website daily. Any efforts in enhancing consumer protection and helping promoters and presenters best engage their audiences directly much needed step in the right direction.”

“As a small venue owner, the health of my business relies heavily on food, beverage, and merchandise sales to complement ticket revenue. When bots and scalpers purchase tickets en masse, it not only drives up prices but also prevents true fans from attending events. This results in empty seats at my venue, leading to a significant loss—up to 75% of my projected revenue from concessions and merchandise sales,” said Jayson Wylie, President and CEO of Taos Mesa Brewing and Musich Entertainment.

Specifically, the MAIN Event Ticketing Act would:

• Creating reporting requirements whereby online ticket sellers have to report successful bot attacks to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC);
• Creating a complaint database so consumers can also share their experiences with the FTC, which in turn is required to share the information with state attorneys general;
• Enacting data security requirements for online ticket sellers and requires the sharing of information between the FTC and law enforcement; and
• Requiring a report to Congress on BOTS enforcement.  

This legislation is endorsed by the Recording Academy, Recording Industry Association of America, Live Nation Entertainment, and the National Independent Venue Association.

Bill text is available here.

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