Ticket scalpers in NSW are no longer able to re-sell a ticket for more than 10 per cent above the original price.
Ads are required to include the original cost of the ticket, a re-sale asking price below the mandated cap, and the seat details including the bay, seat, or row number.
Ads that offer tickets for more than the permissible re-sale price are prohibited.
If a ticket is sold above the 10 per cent re-sale cap, the event organiser may cancel the ticket, and refuse entry to the person who holds it.
The new laws apply to tickets to NSW events that are sold from 1 June 2018 and have a resale restriction. This is a term or condition of a ticket that limits the circumstances in which the ticket may be resold, or prohibits resale of the ticket.
Maximum penalties for the offence of selling a ticket at more than 10 per cent above the original cost are $11,000 for an individual, and $22,000 for an organisation.
The new laws do not apply to tickets sold by the authorised seller prior to 1 June 2018, even if the event is held after that date.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said these reforms address the concerns of consumers who have reported problems with ticket scalpers to NSW Fair Trading.
“Fair Trading received more than 1000 complaints and enquiries about entertainment and ticketing issues in 2016-17, with Viagogo named on the Complaints Register every month for the last year,” Mr Kean said.
“These laws create a level playing field so genuine fans can buy tickets to concerts and sporting events without being slapped with hugely inflated re-sale prices.”
Learn more about ticket reselling in NSW
