WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Fix the Tix Coalition and the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) have responded to U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal’s (D-CT) recent call for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate deceptive ticketing practices and enforce the BOTS Act.
“Senator Blumenthal’s letter is a crucial step toward holding predatory ticket brokers and resale platforms accountable,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director of NIVA. Speaking at the Infinity Music Hall event hosted by Senator Blumenthal, Parker highlighted the impact of exploitative practices on independent venues, fans, and artists, noting the siphoning of revenue by professional resellers and the erosion of consumer protections.
The statement emphasized the need for enforcement of the 2016 BOTS Act, which prohibits the use of automated bots to purchase tickets en masse—a law that has been enforced only once. NIVA urged federal and state legislators to act swiftly to protect consumers.
A recent study by independent concert venues in Blumenthal’s home state of Connecticut revealed widespread use of deceptive practices by brokers and resale platforms, including:
Ticket Hoarding and Bots: Automated software to hoard tickets for resale at inflated prices.
Deceptive SEO and IP Theft: Misleading online ads using stolen imagery to redirect buyers to secondary sites.
False Demand Tactics: Creating the illusion of scarcity to pressure buyers.
Price Gouging: Overpricing tickets while affordable options remain on primary markets.
“Deceptive practices harm fans and businesses alike,” said Tyler Grill, CEO of Infinity Music Hall. “The event with Senator Blumenthal gives us hope for meaningful reforms to restore fairness and transparency to ticketing.”
The coalition seeks strengthened FTC enforcement along with the adoption of new measures they maintain will protect consumers and help to sustain independent concert venues around the U.S.
Read Senator Blumenthal’s full letter to the FTC HERE.
