Following the news yesterday that Robbie Williams' people were distancing themselves from unofficial ticket agencies who were selling tickets for his upcoming tour ahead of their official release, we hear today that gig, theatre and sports promoters are calling on the government to make ticket touting illegal. As previously reported, promoters are becoming increasingly concerned about unofficial agents selling on tickets at a marked up price - either at the venue on the night or, increasingly, via the web. The government is considering plans to introduce legislation to make it illegal to tout tickets for the London Olympics in 2012, and some promoters want those rules applied to all live events.
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who has been increasingly vocal about his opposition to the unofficial selling of tickets in the last year, told the BBC: "The fact that touts are allowed to trade at concerts is a disgrace. If the government are proposing legislation for the Olympics then they must include entertainment."
Confirming that the internet had added to the problem of unofficial ticket sellers in the UK, Jonathan Brown of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers told reporters: "The internet has exacerbated the problem enormously because it's given everybody the potential to re-sell tickets. While that may seem like a wonderful commercial opportunity, what's actually happening is quite the opposite in some cases, with people not receiving tickets. We just think it's brought the whole thing to a point where something's got to be done about it."
Promoters are also keen to stress that their concerns are primarily for their customers who, they claim, are frequently ripped off by the touts. SJM Concerts' Rob Ballantine, speaking for the UK's Concert Promoters' Association, said the new legislation was needed to combat "unscrupulous" traders: "If they were to make touting illegal, then we would be able to go after these people and take action against them. It's the deception and the scale of it."
However some of those companies who would be affected by any such legislation dismiss claims made by concert promoters, claiming that the premium they charge on tickets is for the convenience they offer their customers, adding that they are upfront about the face value of tickets and the mark up they charge. Commenting on the law change proposals Michael Rangos from one of those agencies, Getmetickets.net, told the BBC: "I think it's preposterous to try to block the freedom of choice and the fact that supply and demand should only ever determine the price of any commodity".
The lovely Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been pretty non-committal on the issue - recognizing the promoter's concerns but suggesting the industry should see if it can combat the problems within the existing rule structure before considering new legislation.