The UK government could target ticket resale sites rather than just outlawing the use of bots in legislation that is set to shake up the secondary sector.
The Digital Economy Bill, which includes provision to crack down on scalpers who use software to buy tickets before selling them for inflated prices, was passed by the House of Commons last night (Tuesday).
However, the Financial Times newspaper reports that following the recent investigation of the sector by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, the government is switching its focus from the use of bots to reselling sites themselves.
MPs will meet music industry representatives today (Wednesday) to discuss the details.
The committee recommended a “fuller” investigation into secondary sites such as StubHub, GetMeIn and Viagogo, citing their unwillingness to “tackle large-scale touts”.
Speaking to the Financial Times, StubHub said that while it does carry out checks on sellers, it does not have the capability to police every listing on its site.
“It’s not feasible and it is not required by law,” said a StubHub spokesperson.
Culture minister Matt Hancock said he has been "persuaded" of the need for action over bots that harvest event tickets for resale in the secondary market.
Speaking during last night's Digital Economy Bill sessions in the House Of Commons, he said: “Although we would not want to close down the secondary market for tickets altogether, clearly the automatic harvesting of tickets sold below market price – so that fans can afford them – for resale at a higher value is wrong.
“I am persuaded by the arguments and we shall be holding a roundtable meeting on Wednesday to discuss the best way to tackle the problem. The government will give full consideration to what is said at these round tables, in parliament and in the Waterson report on the issue of ticketing bots and the harvesting market.”
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