Crackdowns on Bots, Ticket Holdbacks Headline New York Ticketing Bill
Originally published in
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A proposed state Senate bill aimed at preserving and strengthening New York’s expiring ticket regulations could reshape how fans buy and resell tickets to concerts and sporting events. Senate Bill S276, introduced by Sens. James Skoufis, Liz Krueger and Rachel May—all Democrats—would extend existing Arts and Cultural Affairs laws while adding new measures targeting high-tech ticket-buying “bots,” transparency in ticket allocations, and greater freedoms for season ticket holders.
It begins the process referred to the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee.
Senator Skoufis has been a key player in the ticketing legislative environment in New York for several years now. This bill is similar to one he introduced in 2021 when the ticketing laws were set to expire, though it saw significant changes before being passed and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2022. He has regularly been critical of the existing ticketing landscape for consumers, and hopes that the renewed effort for reform in New York will serve as a model for other states to follow.
“New York is the entertainment capital of the world, and ensuring fans have ready, affordable, and fair access to tickets remains a priority of mine,” says Sen. Skoufis of the bill. “The ticketing industry is worth billions of dollars, and as chair of the Investigations Committee, I remain committed to holding feet to the fire and fighting to protect New Yorkers from predatory practices by bad actors in the industry.”
Under current law, many consumer protections regarding ticket sales and resales are poised to expire unless lawmakers pass this or a similar bill. The proposed legislation contains nine distinct sections—Parts A through I—that address issues ranging from anti-bot enforcement to banning exclusivity clauses in contracts between event venues and primary ticket sellers.
