Scalper bot users could face jail time as a result of new UK legislation

A new UK government proposal is aiming at touts that use scalper bots, suggesting prison time and a £5,000 fine if caught.

Theresa May, the Prime Minister of the UK, said she is specifically focusing on finding ways to restrict touts from using the notorious scalper bots that have plagued those attempting to purchase concert tickets in recent history.

Conservative MP Nigel Adams tabled the newly proposed bill after he himself missed out on concert tickets due to scalper bots sweeping through and buying all the tickets before he and many others could acquire them.

Adams told the Guardian why he chose to act against this widely-used practice: “I believe in the free market but I don’t believe in a crooked market. When that happens, politicians need to act, irrespective of political dogma. I don’t see [opposition to the amendment] chiming with Theresa May’s commitment to make sure we have a government that works for everyone not just a privileged few.”

If this legislation is passed, it could have a severe effect on the secondary ticketing market which is estimated to be worth £1 billion, but those who pay others to purchase tickets and use multiple credit cards could still bypass the system.

The state of New York made the use of scalper bots illegal earlier this year after finding out that a single bot purchased 1,000 tickets in one minute. Hopefully the UK will follow suit.

Harrison is Mixmag's East Coast Editor. Follow him on Twitter here