On March 31, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at combating ticket scalping and ensuring fair pricing in the live event industry. The order addresses the use of automated bots by scalpers who buy tickets in bulk and resell them at inflated prices, protecting consumers from unfair practices.
Key provisions of the executive order include:
- Enforcing Competition Laws: The Attorney General and FTC will monitor the entertainment industry to prevent deceptive practices in ticket reselling.
- BOTS Act Enforcement: The FTC is tasked with enforcing the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act to stop bot-driven ticket scalping.
- Price Transparency: The order mandates clear pricing throughout the ticket purchase process, including all fees, so consumers know the total cost upfront.
- Tax Compliance: The Treasury and Attorney General will ensure ticket resellers comply with tax laws to prevent evasion.
The order has been welcomed by companies like Live Nation, who support efforts to curb scalping and ensure fairer prices for consumers.
