Event organisers in Italy have slammed a policy suggested by a government lawmaker that would demand a purchaser’s name be added to tickets.
The amendment to the Finance Bill, introduced by Sergio Battelli, a Five-Star Movement congressman, proposes that tickets sold for shows and sport events in venue with a capacity of more than 3,000 seats must include a nominated name.
Batelli explained that he is still working on a solution to allow names to be changed, although the ticket could not be sold for more than the purchase price. He also said the venue capacity could be raised to 5,000 before the bill becomes law.
“We have listened to many operators, we have raised perplexities that we take into account but, on the concept underlying my amendment, we do not move back,” Battelli said.
While Batelli said the amendment is backed by music industry group La Siae, many other interested parties think the change would cause chaos at events as ticket-holders would be forced to prove their identity.
Daniela Sbrollini, Sports Spokesperson of the opposition Democratic Party, said the amendement would cause “certain damage” to sports clubs in Italy
“Applying this rule means practically tilting the ticket offices of hundreds of football clubs, basketball, volleyball and rugby,” she said. “This will oblige the overwhelming majority of amateur sports clubs to equip themselves with ticketing systems and management software, which will weigh heavily on the running costs of the sports company.”
Mimmo D’Alessandro, founder of the D’Alessandro and Galli promotion agency, told Rockol.it: “If the new proposed legislation should become law, the undecided at the concerts will no longer go in. The queues at the entrances, by virtue of identity checks, will become endless.”
Image: DavidRockDesign
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