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Forbes· 2025-10-03 23:30
SeatGeek Promo Codes: Save On Concert And Event Ticketshttps://t.co/k6BlajUtQf https://t.co/wMKt44VruZ ...
FTC Sues Ticketmaster, Alleging Illegal Coordination With Brokers and Bait-and-Switch Pricing
PYMNTS.com· 2025-09-18 20:29
Core Viewpoint - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and seven states have filed a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment, alleging illegal practices in ticket sales and consumer deception [1][3]. Group 1: Allegations Against Ticketmaster - The complaint claims that Ticketmaster violated the FTC Act and the Better Online Ticket Sales Act (BOTS Act) by allowing brokers to purchase tickets beyond artists' limits and selling them at significant markups in the secondary market [3]. - Ticketmaster is accused of engaging in bait-and-switch pricing, which obscures mandatory fees from consumers [3]. - The FTC is seeking civil penalties and additional monetary relief in its lawsuit [5]. Group 2: Regulatory Context - The lawsuit follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, emphasizing the need for the federal government to protect consumers from ticketing fraud [4]. - The FTC has been investigating whether Ticketmaster has effectively enforced the BOTS Act, which prohibits automated software from circumventing ticket limits [5]. - Ticketmaster claims to block approximately 200 million bot attempts daily [5]. Group 3: Industry Reactions - Ticketmaster has expressed that the FTC has a fundamental misunderstanding of its policies [6]. - The FTC previously sued ticket reseller Key Investment Group for allegedly using illegal tactics to bypass Ticketmaster's purchasing limits [6]. - A representative from Key Investment Group criticized the FTC's lawsuit, arguing it misapplies the BOTS Act and threatens the secondary ticket market, consolidating power within the industry's largest monopoly [7].