Western Australian Parliament passes tough new laws to stamp out scalping

The Government of Western Australia’s new anti-ticket scalping legislation - making the activity illegal in the state with heavy penalties for those who break the law - has been passed in the state’s Parliament.

The tough new measures will be in place before general admission tickets go on sale for the 2021 AFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium to protect fans from price gouging and level the playing field by banning mass purchases by 'bots'.

Passed as of Tuesday (7th September 2021), the Ticket Scalping Bill 2021 will still allow the re-sales of concert and event tickets but will limit profit to 10% from the original price.

It also outlaws the use of software designed to by-pass security measures to prevent bulk purchases.

In addition, advertising tickets for resale must also include the original price, seat and row number for the event.

Heavy penalties will apply for those who break the law with fines of $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for companies. Even higher penalties will apply for those using 'bots' to purchase tickets.

The Commissioner for Consumer Protection will be given the power to enforce the anti-ticket scalping measures.

In advice on the law, the Commissioner advised “consumers are advised to only purchase tickets from authorised sellers and avoid using third party re-sellers, especially if they are based overseas. Often re-sellers pay to be on top of internet search results, so the advice is to look beyond them when searching online.

“Using third party re-sellers could result in the ticket being rejected at the venue and disappointed consumers being denied entry. Re-sellers often refuse to provide refunds where there is a change of date. Scammers also use these platforms to sell fake tickets.”

Commenting on the new legislation, Western Australian Commerce Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson stated “ticket scalpers will no longer be able to rip off Western Australian consumers online thanks to (our) Government's tough new laws.

"The measures target the 'secondary market' in ticket sales that has grown over the years and support and strengthen the measures being adopted by venues and authorised ticket sellers to stop the impact of the unscrupulous behaviour of online scalpers.

"Genuine buyers will be given a greater opportunity to secure a ticket at or near original prices to see their favourite performer or attend a major sporting event, such as the 2021 AFL Grand Final.

"Delivering on an election promise, the laws also ensure greater transparency with re-sellers required to identify the location of the seat or viewing spot for each ticket."

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister, Tony Buti added “the Bill passing with immediate effect is fantastic news on the eve of Western Australia's first-ever AFL Grand Final.

"The new legislation ensures a fans-first approach for all events held in WA, preventing price gouging and banning software bots used to purchase large quantities of tickets.

"The State Government, through VenuesWest, is a prolific host of major sporting and entertainment events and we are thrilled this law will maximise opportunities for fans to access these through reasonably priced tickets.

"To anyone thinking of using bots to buy tickets to the AFL Grand Final, or price gouging through resales - think again or risk a penalty up to $500,000."

Images: Western Australia’s new anti-ticket scalping legislation has been passed into law place before general admission tickets go on sale for the 2021 AFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium (top) and ticekt reseller Viagogo's page for the 2021 AFL Grand Final currently shows no available tickets (below).