Anti-ticket Scalping Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL 14 P2:57 First Regular Session ) SENATE Senate Bill No. _ Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SELLING AND/OR BUYING OF ADMISSION TICKETS THROUGH UNAUTHORIZED SALES CHANNELS, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Ticket scalping in the Philippines has become an increasingly exploitative practice, exacerbated by the rise of automated bots and online resale platforms. perhate large anties ticket i popular events at face alue distorting fair access. The scale of the issue is evident in recent data and incidents. Cybersecurity firm Imperva reported that in 2024, over 80% of traffic to entertainment ticketing websites came from bots which are automated programs designed to bypass purchase limits and hoard tickets within seconds of release. These bots have transformed traditional scalping into a high-tech operation, leaving regular consumers frustrated with sky- high resale prices and limited access to events, and effectively undermining the entertainment industry. 1 Recent events in the country also highlight the severity of the problem. In 2023, scalpers were arrested for reselling tickets to the PBA Finals between Ginebra and Bay Area for a total of P13,000. Approximately 50 tickets were also seized from them.? In Imperva. 2024 Bad Bot Report. Available at https://www.imperva.com/resources/resource- library/reports/2024-bad-bot-report/ (Accessed on 09 July 2025). Inquirer. QC cops round up scalpers selling PBA Finals tickets in Cubao. Published on 11 January 2023. Available at (Accessed on 09 July 2025).

2024, tickets to singer Olivia Rodrigo's concert, originally priced at P1,500, were being resold online for as much as P25,000.3 Despite the growing negative impact of ticket scalping, the Philippines currently lacks a unified national policy for its prohibition. Only a handful of local government units, such as Pasay, Quezon City, and Muntinlupa, have enacted ordinances to address the issue. On the other hand, in other countries, measures have been adopted to effectively regulate the practice. Australia, for example, limits ticket resale to a 10% markup and prohibits the use of bots, with violations subject to heavy penalties.® Japan enacted a similar national law in 2018 ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, imposing fines of up to ·1 million and imprisonment for scalpers.? Hong Kong employs real-name ticketing and strict purchase limits to prevent bulk buying and unauthorized resale.& These international examples demonstrate that targeted legislation, combined with technological safeguards, can effectively curb ticket scalping. Thus, this proposed measure seeks to address this growing problem which has long deprived consumers of fair access to entertainment events. By prohibiting unauthorized sales channels and imposing penalties on violators, this bill aims to ensure that tickets remain accessible to the public at reasonable prices, standardize enforcement across regions, safeguard consumer rights, and protect the entertainment economy. Under this measure, it shall be prohibited to resell tickets at more than 10% above their face value and to use bot software to hoard tickets for resale. Additionally, it mandates transparency in ticket pricing and requires tickets to be sold only through authorized platforms. By addressing the root causes of ticket scalping and instituting robust enforcement mechanisms, this bill would create a level playing field for both consumers and event producers and organizers, ultimately enhancing the overall experience for eventgoers. The prohibition of ticket scalping is a necessary step towards ensuring that entertainment events remain inclusive, affordable, and enjoyable for everyone. 3 SPOT.ph. What Does Philippine Law Say About Ticket Scalping. Published on 08 October 2024. Available at https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/policy/110204/what-does-philippine-law-say-about-ticket-scalping-a5229- 20241008 (Accessed on 09 July 2025). 4 Ibid. 6 Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (Government of Western Australia). Events, ticket scalping. Last updated on https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/events-tickets-and-ticket-scalping (Accessed on 09 July 2025). ^ Ministry of Justice, Japan. Act on Ensuring the Proper Distribution of Show and Event Tickets by Prohibiting the Unauthorized Resale of Specified Show and Event Tickets (Act No. 103 of December 14, 2018). Available at https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3356/en (Accessed on 09 July 2025). 8 Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Ticket Scalping. Available at https://www.legco.gov.hk/research- publications/english/essentials-1819ise04-ticket-scalping.htm (Accessed on 09 July 2025).

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. VILLANUEVA V

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) JUL 14 P2:57 First Regular Session RILLI SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SELLING AND/OR BUYING OF ADMISSION TICKETS THROUGH UNAUTHORIZED SALES CHANNELS, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Ticket Scalping

Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State

to protect the interests of consumers, promote their general welfare, and establish standards of conduct for business and industry. Towards this end, the State shall implement measures to protect consumers against deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales acts and practices.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms are

defined as follows: a) Admission Ticket refers to evidence of a right of entry to an entertainment event, whether printed or digital; b) Entertainment Event refers to any occasion, occurrence, or activity organized by persons that provides amusement or recreation, is open to the public, and involves the distribution of admission tickets, such as sporting events, concerts, stage performances, beauty pageants, festivals, road shows, fan meets or any similar undertakings;

c) Face Value Price refers to the original cost of the admission ticket set by the event producer and/or organizer; and Ticket Scalping refers to the act of purchasing admission tickets and reselling them at a price higher than their face value price.

SEC. 4. Prohibition of Ticket Scalping. - The following acts shall constitute

ticket scalping, whether committed online or in person: a) Offering, hoarding, selling, distributing, buying, dealing in, disposing of or otherwise obtaining admission tickets for entertainment events, without the written permission from the authorized event producer, organizer, or distributor, for the purpose of reselling for more than ten percent (10%) higher than the face value price of the ticket: Provided, That the ten percent (10%) increase or markup shall be subject to the periodic review and update by the implementing agencies. b) Financing, managing, or operating ticket scalping activities, including the usage of bot software to purchase admission tickets with the purpose of reselling.

SEC. 5. Other Offenses. - The following shall also constitute as offenses under

this Act: a) Offering or selling admission tickets for entertainment events without providing the face value price on each ticket. b) Selling admission tickets on any platform other than the authorized selling platform. Using bot software to purchase admission tickets in bulk. d) Willfully aiding or abetting in the commission of any of the offenses enumerated under Section 4 of this Act. e) Willfully attempting to commit any of the offenses enumerated under Section 4.

SEC. 6. Duties and Responsibilities of Entities Engaged in the Business

of Event Production and/or Event Ticketing. - a) Event producers and/or organizers shall ensure that events are run with due care and skill, and as described. b) Event ticket sellers shall ensure that the admission tickets match the description of the entertainment event; advertise the full face value price upfront; and provide a receipt for the ticket purchase.

c) Covered entities shall post, publish, or display signages on their websites and on conspicuous places within their premises warnings against ticket scalping. d) Covered entities shall adopt, implement, and enforce internal policy guidelines, including prevention and reporting mechanisms, on ticket scalping, in accordance with this Act.

SEC. 7. Institution of Complaint. - The Department of Justice (DO)), the

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its relevant bureaus or attached agencies, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), including 9 all law enforcement agencies, may institute a complaint for violation of this Act before 10 the appropriate court.

SEC. 8. Penalties. -

a) The following penalties shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of any act prohibited under Section 4 hereof: (1) For the first offense, a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment of six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court. (2) For the second offense, a fine of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P250,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court. (3) For the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment of three (3) years, or both, at the discretion of the court. b) The following penalties shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of any act prohibited under Sections 5 and 6 hereof: (1) For the first offense, a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00). (2) For the second offense, a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment of six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court. (3) For the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P250,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court. (4) If the offender is a corporation, the penalty may, at the discretion of the court, be imposed upon such corporation and/or upon its directors,

trustees, stockholders, members, officers, or employees responsible for the violation or indispensable to its commission.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the DTI and the DILG shall, in coordination with other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to carry out the provisions of this Act. Failure of the relevant government agencies to promulgate the IRR within the specified period shall subject the heads of these government agencies to 9 administrative penalties under applicable civil service laws. Should the IRR contain provisions that are contrary to this Act, the heads of the government agencies responsible for such provision, when done in bad faith or with gross negligence, shall be held administratively liable.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,