Michigan Passes Anti-Bot Legislation to Combat Ticket Scalping
Michigan has taken a stand against ticket-buying bots by passing a bipartisan anti-bot bill package into law. The legislation, signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, prohibits the use of automated software, known as ticket bots, to circumvent online safeguards when purchasing tickets for live entertainment events. Violators could face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per illegally acquired ticket. The new laws are scheduled to go into effect in March, aiming to address the issue of ticket scalping and ensure fair access to event tickets for fans.
The use of ticket bots has been a contentious issue, with high-profile incidents like the Taylor Swift Eras Tour on-sale drawing attention to the problem. Fans have often found themselves unable to secure tickets at face value, leading to frustration and reliance on marked-up or resale tickets. The Michigan legislation seeks to complement existing federal laws by providing state-level enforcement tools to combat ticket bot usage more effectively.
The Event Online Ticket Sales Act, created by Senate Bill 158, defines ticket bots and explicitly prohibits their use to bypass online safeguards when purchasing tickets. House Bill 4262 authorizes the Michigan Attorney General to investigate violations, seek injunctive relief, pursue restitution, and impose civil fines for each ticket obtained illegally. The tie-barred bills work in conjunction to strengthen enforcement measures and deter fraudulent ticket acquisition practices.
State Sen. Mary Cavanagh, the sponsor of Senate Bill 158, emphasized the importance of protecting consumers from bot-scammers who exploit the ticket-buying process. The legislation has garnered support from the ticket resale industry, with companies like StubHub applauding Michigan lawmakers for their efforts to combat ticket bot usage. The focus remains on targeting fraudulent practices rather than legitimate ticket resale by consumers, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the ticketing ecosystem.
With Michigan becoming the 14th state to enact its own ticket bot prohibition, the state joins others in cracking down on automated ticket-buying practices. The move towards state-level enforcement reflects a broader trend of increased scrutiny on the live event ticketing industry, including ongoing antitrust actions at the federal level. By empowering state regulators and courts to address ticket bot usage, Michigan aims to level the playing field for fans seeking access to event tickets without facing unfair competition from automated software.