By CHAT News Today

Alberta bans ticket scalper bots

Aug 4, 2018 | 11:43 AM

EDMONTON, AB — The province is making it easier for consumers to get tickets to the events they wish to attend.

A ban on ticket bots came into effect on Wednesday, part of Bill 31, which was passed in December 2017.

“We’ve heard, over and over again, that game and concert tickets sell out very quickly and Albertans aren’t able to see their favourite team or band,” said Brian Malkinson, Minister of Service Alberta, in a news release. “When tickets are scarce, consumers are forced to pay sky-high prices or they are scammed by questionable resellers. Our government believes Albertans deserve better. These new rules will ensure they have a better shot at getting the tickets they want.”

A bot is computer software which is programmed to quickly purchase tickets from primary sellers before customers have a chance to do so. The result is limited ticket availability, inflated prices on tickets sold by resellers and a potentially higher risk of fraud.

With the ban, ticket sellers are now required to use “reasonable diligence” in detecting bots and cancelling tickets purchased by bots.

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The ban makes Alberta the third province, alongside Ontario and Saskatchewan, to ban ticket bots. Quebec has also passed a ban, but their law is not yet in effect.

In addition to the ban on bots, the bill also includes a customer’s right to a full refund in cases of event cancellations, fraudulent purchases or other issues, such as invalid tickets, according to a news release. A full refund includes the ticket price and any fees paid at the time of purchase.

Only for-profit ticket resale businesses, including those that reach buyers through online platforms such as Kijiji, are required to issue refunds, according to the bill.

The full bill can be viewed here. http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_29/session_3/20170302_bill-031.pdf