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The Hong Kong Government is considering bolstering its laws against ticket touts, despite no recorded convictions near event venues for almost two years.
A recent session of the government’s legislative council saw concerns raised about ticket touts becoming more of an issue in Hong Kong.
As a result, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui informed that the department is debating whether to implement additional measures that would criminalise ticket scalping at government-owned venues.
Currently, Law’s department enforces measures such as real-name ticketing, limits on ticket purchases, and enhanced transparency regarding ticket sales.
Law feels that improved communication with event organisers will lead to improved security.
“We need to communicate with stakeholders, because different organisers have their different ticketing considerations,” she said, as reported by RTHK.
“Even though I think real-name registration for tickets is the most effective way to tackle the issue of scalpers, the organisers often don’t consider this to be their first option. We have to respect such business operations.”
These are all designed to mitigate public safety issues and discourage people from touting.
The measures fall under the Place of Public Entertainment Ordinance act in Hong Kong which aims to safeguard public safety at entertainment venues.
However, venues such as the Hong Kong Coliseum and the Hong Kong Stadium are not part of this.
Law urged the public to only purchase tickets through official channels to avoid potential scams.
She also stated that between 2022 and the middle of 2024, no ticket touting convictions near venues were recorded.
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