AFL finals ticket scalpers face huge fines new anti-gouging crackdown
SCALPERS could be hit with almost half a million in fines as tough anti-scalping laws spread across our sporting calendar, including key footy games. SEE THE EVENTS
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TICKET scalpers plotting to cash in on AFL finals games face huge fines under a new anti-gouging crackdown.
The Herald Sun can reveal all 2018 AFL finals staged in Victoria, as well as next season’s Anzac Day marquee clash between Essendon and Collingwood, will be declared under the state’s tough anti-scalping laws.
Previously, only the AFL Grand Final had been subject to the law aimed at protecting rank-and-file fans from price gougers.
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With Victorian teams Richmond and Collingwood now on top of the ladder, tickets to the MCG in September will be at a premium.
The extended safeguards are set to be confirmed by the state government today. Victoria Police will prosecute scalpers with penalties ranging from $806 to $483,500 depending on the offence.
Authorised ticketing officers supporting police will be given powers to seize tickets and issue infringement notices.
Fans who unwittingly purchase tickets from scalpers will escape penalty.
It is understood the 2019 Australian Open will soon join the blockbuster footy games on the list of declared major events under the new anti-scalping laws.
Under the laws it will be an offence to resell or advertise tickets for more than 10 per cent above the purchase price.
AFL fixture boss Travis Auld said protecting the finals and next year’s Anzac Day clash was a win for fans.
“We know fans are the lifeblood of our game and continually work to ensure the game is affordable and accessible to all,” Mr Auld said.
“We’re supportive of the Victorian government’s decision to declare the 2018 AFL finals series and the 2019 Anzac Day match under the Major Events Act, so footy fans have affordable access to these matches.”
The last time Richmond and Collingwood clashed in September was in 1980, when the Tigers smashed the Magpies in a Grand Final played in front of 113,461 fans.
Since then the clubs have featured in the same finals series only once, when they were both eliminated in the first week in 2013.
Acting Minister for Tourism and Major Events Philip Dalidakis said footy fans were fed up with ticket scalpers preventing them from attending their teams’ finals.
“We’re determined to ensure as many fans as possible get the chance to attend these blockbuster matches,” he said.
“By declaring the 2018 AFL finals series and the 2019 Anzac Day match, we’re sending a clear message to ticket scalpers that this unscrupulous behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Non-declared events won’t be covered under the new laws, allowing secondary websites to continue to sell seats at ¬inflated prices.
Ticket gouging has long caused problems in finals.
Last year secondary website Ticketmaster Resale advertised tickets to the first week of the finals for $700.
Geelong fan Robert Draper purchased two tickets valued at $35 each for $290 on Ticketmaster Resale.
But when Mr Draper and his dad arrived at the MCG turnstiles for the qualifying final, their passes were rejected, with several hapless fans turned away each year.
Originally published as AFL finals ticket scalpers face huge fines new anti-gouging crackdown