Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, faces scrutiny after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit accusing it of enabling scalpers and violating anti-bot laws. The company denies the charges but has announced reforms to strengthen its ticketing platform and reassure fans.
Allegations of “Triple Dipping”
The FTC’s complaint, filed in California, claims Ticketmaster ignored purchase limits. This failure let resellers buy tickets in bulk and flip them at inflated prices. According to the filing, Ticketmaster “triple dipped” on fees—collecting from brokers at the initial sale, again when tickets were relisted, and finally from fans who purchased them. Senators Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico expressed “grave concern” in a letter to Live Nation. Their message reflects growing frustration among fans who feel locked out of affordable access to live events.
Dan Wall, Live Nation’s Executive Vice President for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, rejected the accusations as “categorically false.” He argued that resales account for only 3% of Live Nation’s revenue. Wall also highlighted the company’s billion-dollar investment in bot prevention. He said Ticketmaster blocked 8.7 billion bot attempts in April alone. “Our incentives are plainly to favor artists and fans,” he added.
Planned Ticketing Reforms
Although Live Nation denies wrongdoing, it is introducing new measures. Ticketmaster will now limit every user, including professional resellers, to a single verified account tied to a tax ID or Social Security Number. The company will also remove TradeDesk’s concert ticket management tools. In addition, it plans to deploy AI to detect fake or duplicate accounts. Artists will gain access to a new tool that lets them cancel fraudulent purchases after tickets go on sale. Wall explained that these steps aim to reduce reputational harm and rebuild trust.
At the same time, Live Nation reaffirmed its support for the MAIN Event Ticketing Act, a proposed law that would strengthen the BOTS Act. However, Wall warned that lawmakers could overwhelm the industry if they require companies to report every attempted bot attack. “Attempted circumvention… happens constantly and at enormous scale,” he wrote.
In summary, Live Nation is fighting back against regulators while reshaping its ticketing practices. The company hopes these reforms will prove its commitment to fans and artists. The FTC’s case, however, may ultimately decide the industry’s next chapter.
About the Author
