Italian Authority Fines ‘Digital Ticket Tout’ for First Time

Rome: Italy’s Communications Authority Agcom announced that, for the first time, it has imposed a fine on an individual for engaging in activities as a ‘digital ticket tout’. The action marks a significant development in the ongoing battle against the illegal resale of tickets in the country.

According to Ansa News Agency, the individual was fined 675,000 euros due to their involvement in the illegal resale of tickets for 90 events. The authority described the person’s actions as part of a “sophisticated fraudulent system” that facilitated the extensive acquisition of tickets for entertainment and sporting events. This system allowed the individual to conduct constant and fractional purchasing operations, leading to the massive hoarding of tickets from the primary market, with the sole intent of reselling them on the secondary market at inflated prices.

The move by Agcom is seen as a critical step in curtailing the activities of digital ticket touts, who have been increasingly exploiting the secondary market to the detriment of genuine consumers. This development underscores the authority’s commitment to enforcing regulations and ensuring fair access to event tickets.