HR 2713: MAIN Event Ticketing Act

HR 2713 in plain English: The MAIN Event Ticketing Act expands federal protections against automated software ('bots') used to buy event tickets online in violation of ticket sellers' rules. It requires online ticket sellers to maintain security safeguards and report circumvention incidents to the Federal Trade Commission, which gains authority to bring civil actions and must report enforcement activity to Congress.

Stated purpose

This bill aims to improve online ticket sales and protect consumers by expanding rules against the use of automated software (bots) to buy event tickets, and by requiring ticket sellers to put stronger security safeguards in place on their websites.

Key points

• Bans use of automated software to buy event tickets in ways that bypass a seller's posted purchasing rules
• Requires ticket sellers to establish and maintain security safeguards for their websites and services
• Requires ticket sellers to report known circumvention incidents to the FTC
• Sets civil penalties of at least $10,000 per day for ongoing violations, plus at least $1,000 per individual violation
• Intentional violations carry an enhanced civil penalty of at least $10,000 per violation

Arguments supporters make

• Bots let a small number of people scoop up huge quantities of tickets in seconds, locking out ordinary fans — stronger rules level the playing field for everyday consumers.
• Requiring ticket sellers to maintain real security safeguards and report breaches holds companies accountable for protecting both their systems and their customers.
• The bill passed committee 36-0, suggesting broad, bipartisan agreement that current law has not been strong enough to stop sophisticated automated ticket buying.

Arguments opponents make

• New compliance burdens — building security systems, monitoring third-party vendors, and reporting incidents within 30 days — could be costly and difficult, especially for smaller ticket sellers and venues.
• Critics may argue that determined bot operators constantly evolve their tools, so legal expansions alone are unlikely to stop sophisticated automated purchasing without more fundamental changes to how tickets are sold.
• Some may contend that focusing on bots addresses a symptom rather than the root cause of high ticket prices, and that other market forces or industry practices contribute equally to consumers being priced out.

Tradeoffs

Stronger security requirements and reporting mandates may better protect consumers and create fairer ticket access, but they also impose new operational and legal obligations on ticket sellers of all sizes, which could raise business costs that may eventually be passed on to buyers.

Current status in Congress: In committee.

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