Hartford, CT — A new executive order signed by President Donald Trump this week is putting fresh pressure on the Federal Trade Commission to regulate online ticketing practices that have long frustrated Connecticut concertgoers and sports fans.
The order, signed Monday alongside musician Kid Rock, directs federal agencies to enforce the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, improve price transparency, and investigate abuses in the secondary ticket market. The action comes after widespread public complaints about hours-long virtual queues and exorbitant resale prices for high-demand events such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Billy Joel at Mohegan Sun.
The National Consumers League (NCL) said the order could finally address years of consumer concerns. “Fixing the ticketing market is a bipartisan issue,” said John Breyault of NCL. “People buy tickets to concerts and sporting events in blue states and red states, and they’re all equally fed up with how the ticketing marketplace is.”
The BOTS Act, enacted in 2016, prohibits automated ticket-buying software that scoops up tickets before the general public can access them. “Unfortunately, there has only been one instance where the FTC has enforced that law since it took effect in 2019,” Breyault said. “So, we expect the FTC will put a greater emphasis on cracking down on online ticket bots.”
Connecticut residents have voiced frustration for years over limited access and inflated prices. The executive order mandates a federal report in six months with recommendations to protect consumers.
The NCL is urging Congress to pass the Ticket Act, which would strengthen the order through legislation. The House Commerce Committee is expected to discuss the bill Wednesday.
Hartford, CT — A new executive order signed by President Donald Trump this week is putting fresh pressure on the Federal Trade Commission to regulate online ticketing practices that have long frustrated Connecticut concertgoers and sports fans.
The order, signed Monday alongside musician Kid Rock, directs federal agencies to enforce the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, improve price transparency, and investigate abuses in the secondary ticket market.
The action comes after widespread public complaints about hours-long virtual queues and exorbitant resale prices for high-demand events such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Billy Joel at Mohegan Sun.
The National Consumers League (NCL) said the order could finally address years of consumer concerns. “Fixing the ticketing market is a bipartisan issue,” said John Breyault of NCL. “People buy tickets to concerts and sporting events in blue states and red states, and they’re all equally fed up with how the ticketing marketplace is.”
The BOTS Act, enacted in 2016, prohibits automated ticket-buying software that scoops up tickets before the general public can access them.
“Unfortunately, there has only been one instance where the FTC has enforced that law since it took effect in 2019,” Breyault said. “So, we expect the FTC will put a greater emphasis on cracking down on online ticket bots.”
Connecticut residents have voiced frustration for years over limited access and inflated prices. The executive order mandates a federal report in six months with recommendations to protect consumers.
The NCL is urging Congress to pass the Ticket Act, which would strengthen the order through legislation. The House Commerce Committee is expected to discuss the bill Wednesday.
