WA attempting to make ticket scalping illegal with new laws

Western Australia are aiming to stamp out ticket scalping, with a proposed law looking to make the practice illegal.

Ticket scalping is undoubtedly one of the biggest headaches that any music lover faces regularly. While numerous concertgoers often find themselves in a bind as they try and get tickets to their dream gig, there are always opportunistic ticket scalpers on the prowl, looking to make bank by charging like wounded bulls.

However, a proposed law in WA Parliament is aiming to make this a thing of the past.

As Perth Now reports, the Ticket Scalping Bill 2018 is set to be introduced in Parliament this week, and will make it an offence for anyone to advertise or resell tickets for more than 10 per cent above face value.

Offenders who are caught breaching this limit can be hit with fines up to $20,000, while companies could be expected to cough up nearer to $100,000. These new laws will also target the use of ticket bots as well, with the Commissioner for Consumer Protection tapped to enforce the new legislation.

Commerce and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston explained that this new decision is set to be in line with efforts made by South Australia and New South Wales, and aims to be more expansive than Victoria’s recent efforts.

“Our legislation goes further in that it will capture a broad number of events where organisers have put a restriction on the reselling of tickets — not just declared events,” explained Mr Johnston.

“(The new laws) will apply to most outdoor concerts, most of the events at RAC Arena and the large events like AFL matches at Optus Stadium. This is to protect those large events that are often sold out.”

“Some people buy a ticket to an event and can’t go for legitimate reasons. So you don’t want them to be trapped, wasting their money,” he continued. “But you don’t want to encourage ticket scalpers who try and make a business out of buying and selling tickets.”

The proposed new laws are expected to pass through Parliament as early as next year.

Check out The Beatles’ ‘Ticket To Ride’:

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.