Ontario Proposes Ticket Resale Regulations to Protect Consumers
Ontario is taking steps to crack down on the resale of event tickets at inflated prices. The government is proposing changes to the Ticket Sales Act, 2017, to prohibit the resale of tickets above their original price, including taxes and fees. This move is aimed at protecting fans from scalpers who exploit the secondary market.
The proposed amendments would apply to all ticket resellers, from individuals to major platforms. The goal is to prevent professional scalpers from using bots and bulk-buying tactics to resell tickets at exorbitant prices. The government plans to introduce administrative penalties for violations to enforce the new rules.
In addition to the resale cap, Ontario intends to enhance validity guarantees to combat counterfeit tickets and address unfair service charges and hidden fees. These measures are intended to make the ticket-buying process more transparent and secure for consumers.
The government's focus on consumer protection extends to the upcoming 2026 Ontario Budget, which will include further initiatives to safeguard consumers and promote economic competitiveness. Ontario aims to create a fairer ticket resale market and ensure that more people can enjoy live entertainment events without being exploited by scalpers.