So much for my New York ticket scalper bot business. I’ll have to think of another idea.
New York governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation in order to combat unfair, illegal ticket purchasing and reselling practices. Bill S.8123/A107 create harsh new penalties for any ticket scalper who uses “ticket bot” software. This software manipulates systems designed to limit the overall amount of tickets an individual can purchase. In a statement, Cuomo said,
“These unscrupulous speculators and their underhanded tactics have manipulated the marketplace and often leave New Yorkers and visitors alike with little choice but to buy tickets on the secondary market at an exorbitant mark-up.
“It’s predatory, it’s wrong and, with this legislation, we are taking an important step towards restoring fairness and equity back to this multi-billion dollar industry. I thank Attorney General Schneiderman and the sponsors of this legislation for their diligence and hard work to pass this much-needed measure.”
Running ticket bot software is now a Class A misdemeanor in New York. The law carries up to $1,000 in fines, and a 1 year prison sentence. New York Attorney General Eric T. Scheiderman said, “In recent years, it has become almost impossible to find affordable tickets – or even any tickets at all – for all popular shows.
“Brokers armed with illegal, high-speed ticket-buying bots have kept too many New Yorkers from attending the shows, sporting events, and cultural experiences that make New York so special. I was honored to work with Governor Cuomo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Assemblyman Crespo, and Senator Lanza and to pass this new law which will go a long way to finally bringing sanity–and fairness–to the ticket buying process.”
The law goes into effect in 90 days. Anyone caught “maintaining an interest in or control of bots” will also face punishment. According to a report, ticket scalpers sold over 140,000 tickets to New York shows in 2014.