The UK is to consider proposals to clamp down on touts who use computer software to snap up tickets and then post them on resale websites at inflated prices.
The touts could face a prison term under the proposal, which has been tabled by Nigel Adams MP, a member of the ruling Conservative Party.
The proposal is contained within an amendment to the digital economy bill that would criminalise the use of so-called ‘bots’.
The offence, based on similar legislation recently introduced in New York, would carry a maximum prison sentence of 51 weeks and a fine of up to £5,000 (€5,600/$6,100) or both.
“It’s not a silver bullet but it will go a long way and act as some deterrent,” Adams said, according to the Guardian newspaper. “If there’s no punishment for this sort of rip-off behaviour it will continue to happen.”
Adams, who was sparked into action after missing out on tickets to a Green Day gig, added: “I believe in the free market but I don’t believe in a crooked market. When that happens politicians need to act, irrespective of political dogma.”
Prime Minister Theresa May said that the government “will be looking at the recommendations very carefully to see what can be done to address the very issue that he talks about”.
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