TICKET scalping laws aimed at stamping out inflated re-sale prices have come into effect on Friday.
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Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the reforms would make it illegal to re-sell a ticket for more than 10 per cent above the original price.
An individual faces a maximum penalty of $11,000 for selling over that threshold, while organisations can be hit with up to $22,000 in fines.
“We know ticket scalping is a huge problem in NSW, and I’m sick of consumers being taken for a ride by shameless shonks looking to make a quick buck,” 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.”
Ticket resellers and scalpers have come into sharp relief in the Hunter in recent weeks after A-League grand final tickets became hot commodities.
The Newcastle Herald has previously reported issues with reselling sites including Viagogo, which Hamilton South’s Maurice Webber used to buy Barry Humphries tickets.
Mr Webber was incensed to discover the $964.26 asking price on the website dwarfed Ticketek’s $75.
Viagogo’s website has argued that “sellers set their own prices, which may be above or below the original face value”.
All tickets sold from Friday onwards are subject to the changes, although tickets already sold for future events are exempt.
The reforms follow more than 1000 complaints to NSW Fair Trading last financial year.
Ads are now required to include the ticket’s original cost, a re-sale asking price below the cap and seat details including bay, seat or row numbers.
Any advertisement for tickets with an asking price over 110 per cent of face value is prohibited.
“These reforms are about putting consumers first, and ensuring that ordinary fans can get a fair go in the marketplace,” Mr Kean said.
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.