Government Backs Online Ticketing Reform

A new governmental report into online ticket touts has recommended that sports properties work more closely with internet firms by sharing profits from tickets resold on auction websites.

The MPs’ report recommended a voluntary industry code of conduct for reselling but stopped short of suggesting a total ban on such activity.

However, the report slammed existing standards, stating that online touts needed to ‘clean up their act’ because they exploit fans.

The document also criticises event organisers and promoters, saying they helped to feed the market with non-existent or inadequate returns services.

The Culture, Media and Sport select committee said up to 40% of tickets were being sold on the internet.

Dozens of UK venues and promoters gave evidence to MPs for the report, which concludes that ‘some secondary sellers indulged in dubious or suspect practices’.

Committee chairman John Whittingdale said it was ‘neither practical nor in the interests of consumers’ to ban ticket sales through the secondary market – where tickets are sold on.

Instead, the MPs are calling on representatives from all sides to come together to provide a ‘voluntary solution’.

Whittingdale said that if they failed to reach agreement on such a code, government legislation would be used as ‘a last resort’.