Published • loading... • Updated
California Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs ‘Ghost Ticket’ Ban but Says Its Carve-Outs Need More Work
The law targets speculative ticket sales and software that bypasses venue limits, with violators facing misdemeanor charges and penalties.
- On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB-1349, banning the sale of "ghost tickets"—concert and sports access not yet owned by sellers—and prohibiting software designed to manipulate venue purchasing restrictions.
- Assemblymember Isaac Bryan introduced the bill after searching for expensive Hollywood Bowl tickets listed before actual sales began, as many fans unknowingly buy speculative tickets priced above their eventual market value.
- Ticket reseller StubHub spent $4.4 million lobbying the measure over two years, then supported the final version; Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, initially backed the bill in January, arguing "no one should be able to scam fans by listing tickets they don't have."
- Despite signing the bill, Newsom expressed reservations in his signing statement, writing that exempting certain sellers "deserves further discussion," while the National Independent Venue Association opposed the final version, warning it puts small businesses at risk.
- California joins Maryland, Minnesota, and Maine in restricting speculative ticket sales. Newsom urged Assemblymember Bryan to refine the law, as a related 10% markup cap proposal stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee in August.
Insights by Ground AI
17 Articles
17 Articles
The Derrick+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs ‘ghost ticket’ ban but says its carve-outs need more work
LOS ANGELES — California is taking action against the sale of “ghost tickets.” Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday signed a bipartisan bill, AB-1349, that targets the live-event ticket resale market. “Ghost tickets,” also known as speculative tickets, are concert and…
·Oil City, United States
Read Full Article
Palo Alto Online+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
Newsom signs law targeting expensive ‘ghost tickets’ to concerts and sporting events
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. California lawmakers are cracking down on expensive concert experiences by targeting “ghost tickets” — so called because the person selling access to the show doesn’t actually own the ticket yet. It’s an issue that has stumped regulators who are combating deceptive e-commerce fueled […]
Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left11Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Left
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources lean Left
69% Left
L 69%
C 19%
12%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
