Ontario Bans Ticket Scalping, Protects Fans

0:00This is Cory with the story, keeping Toronto in the know you're listening to Toronto news today. Ontario is set to crack down on ticket scalping with new rules that would ban reselling concert, sports, or live event tickets for more than there. Original price, including fees and taxes. The changes to the Ticket Sales Act aimed to stop price gouging and keep resale costs fair for fans. These amendments come just ahead of Toronto hosting World Cup soccer games and they'll hit the legislature in the coming days. It's a shift from 2019 when the Ford government dropped a similar cap that limited resales to 50% above face value from a third prior liberal era. Minister Stephen Crawford says the move protects fans from exploitation on popular events like concerts or playoffs. Premier Ford himself complained last fall about gouging on tickets for things like the World Series. Not everyone agrees though. Seat geek warns it could raise base prices or push sales underground while benefiting giants like Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

1:02StubHub and business groups have long argued such rules hurt local sellers and drive deals to the black market. Live Nation welcomes the effort for fair ticketing and wants to keep talking with the government. This could reshape how Ontario fans snag seats without breaking the bank.