Efforts led by U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) to help curb unfair ticketing purchases for live events cleared the House on Wednesday and will now advance to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
The Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, or S. 3183, would prevent ticket scalpers from using software to purchase high volumes of tickets that can be re-sold to fans at inflated rates.
“Having the BOTS bill signed into law is a victory for consumers, sports fans and live concert goers,” Blackburn, the vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said.
“It is time to end these anti-consumer tactics and level the online ticket playing field for fans of live entertainment. Thank you to my colleagues who have worked with me on a bipartisan bicameral basis to support my legislation, achieve passage and witness its being signed into law.”
Blackburn introduced the House-version of the bill, H.R. 5104, which was approved by a voice vote in September.
U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said scalping software has taken advantage of online ticket sales for too long, cheating thousands of fans.
“But this underhanded practice ends today, with passage of the BOTS Act, as it helps sustain a fair and transparent online-purchasing experience,” Upton said.
“With Rep. Blackburn’s bill, consumers are back on a level playing field when it comes to securing tickets to big time concerts like Bruce Springsteen, or seeing the world champion Chicago Cubs. This commonsense bill builds upon our proud record of success and I look forward to the president swiftly signing it into law,” he added.