Lawmakers in the US state of Missouri have passed a law to crack down on online ticket scalpers that attempt to purchase bulk concert and sport tickets for resale.
The Missouri House voted to pass the bill aimed at stopping the use of automated software that allows people to purchase tickets to resell at mark up prices, US newspaper The Clay Center Dispatch reports.
The bill, which passed yesterday (Monday), would see those who sell or use such software fined $1,000 (€920/£797) or receive a misdemeanour for repeated offences in a five-year period.
People are still allowed to resell their tickets, however, concert and sport venues would be required to offer customers the option of buying transferrable tickets that can be resold if the buyer can no longer attend an event.
With 121 House votes for the bill, and only 29 votes against, the measure now heads to the Senate before
Earlier this month, the US state of Maryland commenced legislative hearings over new laws that could also restrict the reselling of tickets.
Meanwhile, New York has criminalised the use of bots by scalpers under laws targeting both touts and reselling sites that profit from the use of ticket purchasing software. Under the laws, each offence could lead to a custodial sentence of one year or fine of up to $1,500.
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