Ontario has imposed what could potentially be its initial penalty against a ticket resale platform under the province’s anti-scalping legislation, which is being put to the test as resellers seek to offload tickets for upcoming events like the Toronto International Film Festival.
As per the province’s consumer alert website, SeatGeek Canada was fined $25,000 at the end of August, with no other fines listed for ticket vendors, hinting that SeatGeek might be the first to face financial consequences under the ticket resale law enacted in April.
Detailed information on the penalty reveals that the company was fined $10,000 for purportedly selling a ticket above its original value, $5,000 for failing to disclose the initial purchase price of a ticket, and an additional $10,000 for allegedly facilitating a transaction without verifying the original price.
Cristian Buzo Tingarov, a representative for Ontario’s Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery Stephen Crawford, refrained from addressing inquiries on the specific event associated with the fines and whether additional fines will be issued.
“All ticket sellers in Ontario must adhere to our legislation prohibiting the resale of tickets above face value,” he communicated via email. “Any seller found violating these regulations could face fines up to $250,000 and public exposure.”
Regarding SeatGeek’s response to the fines, Joe Freeman, the company’s vice-president of government affairs, neither confirmed plans to pay the fines nor indicated an intention to challenge them. While SeatGeek has cautioned third-party sellers on its platform about the law, Freeman mentioned that the company is seeking guidance from the province on compliance procedures.
Freeman pointed out the challenge for SeatGeek in validating the original value of a ticket, particularly when many sellers, including season ticket holders, lack access to the ticket’s face value. This limitation means independent platforms such as SeatGeek have restricted means to ascertain or authenticate the price paid during the initial purchase from the primary seller.
StubHub Canada echoed a similar sentiment in response to queries about Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) screenings recently listed on its site. Notably, listings for TIFF events appearing above fans’ reported prices from member sales were also found on resale platform Vivid Seats.
The article further delves into specific ticket prices for TIFF screenings and the ongoing dialogue between ticket resale platforms and Ontario officials to ensure compliance with the province’s ticket resale regulations. It mentions the proactive steps taken by Vivid Seats to align with the new law and the communication between the company and the authorities to meet their obligations.
In conclusion, Ontario’s crackdown on ticket resellers underscores the importance of adhering to the province’s legislation to prevent ticket scalping and protect consumers.
