Ticket scalpers targeted

NEW laws targeting ticket scalpers will make it illegal to rip off fans at a multitude of Victorian sporting events, in a win for supporters sick of being price gouged by online resale sites.

Anyone caught selling tickets to blockbuster events for more than 10 per cent above face value would face fines of between $790 and $475,000, under changes to be introduced in State Parliament today.

AFL matches such as the Anzac Day blockbuster and finals are expected to be granted “declared event’’ status for the first time under the move, making it illegal for anyone to sell tickets for huge profits.

It is understood the Andrews Government will introduce a Bill making it illegal to sell or advertise for resale tickets to any declared event above the 10 per cent cap.

A law requiring nine months for a major event to be “declared’’ will be abolished and replaced with a two-week lead-in period.

And the State Government will be given the power to tell event organisers such as the AFL, Australian Open chiefs and international tour operators what matches are declared.

The AFL Grand Final is currently the only declared sporting event in Victoria, stopping profit-driven secondary sellers in their tracks and imposing strict conditions.

The Government last night refused to comment on the new Bill but said it “would have more to say on this soon’’.

It will not be an offence for people to buy a ticket to a declared event from a scalper or resale site. Under the proposed changes, event organisers will be given 14 days to argue why a match should not be off-limits to scalpers.

The ugly extent of secondary ticket price hikes was laid bare during this year’s AFL finals with a single seat to the sold-out Richmond-Geelong clash advertised for $706.73 — more than eight times face value.