MAIN Event Ticketing Act
Congress Proposes New Rules Requiring Ticket Sites to Block Bots and Report Cyberattacks
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill makes it illegal to use software or apps to bypass security measures on ticket websites. This is meant to stop 'bots' from buying up all the seats for concerts, sports, and shows before regular fans can get them.
- Companies that sell tickets online would be required to create and maintain security systems that enforce ticket limits. They must also update these systems regularly to keep up with new technology used by hackers.
- If a ticket website discovers that someone has bypassed their security, they must report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) within 30 days. The FTC will then share this information with state lawyers to help catch the people responsible.
- The bill requires the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to work together with the FTC to track cyberattacks on ticket websites. This helps the government understand how bots are evolving and how to stop them.
- Ticket sellers would be legally required to fix security problems once they know about them. This ensures that companies are taking active steps to protect fans instead of just letting bots take over their sales.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Small businesses that sell event tickets online — like local venues, theaters, and independent promoters — would need to invest in security systems to enforce ticket purchasing limits and report any bot circumvention to the FTC within 30 days. While this creates new compliance costs and administrative burdens, it also levels the playing field by cracking down on large-scale bot operators who undermine fair ticket sales.
Milestones
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 144.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-57.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articlesFederal lawmakers hope to crack down on ticket-buying bots
Introduced by Rep. Troy Carter and others, the bill would make it harder for bots to buy tickets for major events. It mandates that online ticket sellers report successful bot attacks to the FTC within 30 days and maintain security systems to enforce ticket limits.
Harshbarger introduces bill to hold ticket scalpers accountable
Rep. Diana Harshbarger introduced the House companion to the MAIN Event Ticketing Act. The bill builds on the 2016 BOTS Act by requiring ticket sellers to notify the FTC of bot attacks and establishing data security requirements to protect fans from price gouging.
Congressional Republicans Take Aim at Ticket Bots and Scalper Markups
Senator Marsha Blackburn highlighted the MAIN Event Ticketing Act as a key tool to give the FTC more power against bad actors. The bill mandates reports from ticket sellers about successful bot attacks and requires the FTC to share consumer complaints with state attorneys general.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
MAIN Event Ticketing Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.