The use of bots to purchase event tickets on Ticketmaster has become a hot topic in recent years. With popular concerts and sporting events selling out in seconds, many fans suspect ticket bots are to blame. So what’s the real deal – do people use bots on Ticketmaster?
What are ticket bots?
Ticket bots, also known as ticket scalper bots or ticket buying bots, are software programs designed to automatically purchase tickets online. They are programmed to target popular events and swoop in ahead of regular consumers to buy up large quantities of tickets.
Ticket bots run on servers and are equipped with advanced features to optimize the ticket buying process. This includes automatically filling out forms, defeating CAPTCHA tests, disguising the software’s digital footprint, and using multiple credit cards or accounts to make purchases.
The tickets purchased by bots are then often resold on secondary markets like StubHub at inflated prices to turn a profit. This controversial practice is known as ticket scalping.
Evidence that bots are used on Ticketmaster
There are several pieces of evidence indicating bots are used to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Tickets selling out in less than a minute – Many major events sell out in seconds, even though Ticketmaster staggers the ticket release times. It’s unlikely this is from organic fan demand alone.
- Suspicious patterns in purchases – Ticketmaster has observed suspicious patterns, like bot accounts rapidly securing as many seats as possible regardless of location.
- Bulk ticket listings – Large quantities of tickets are quickly resold together on secondary markets after popular events sell out.
- Data from bot makers – Creators of ticket bot software have claimed their bots have purchased millions of tickets across sites like Ticketmaster.
Ticketmaster itself has acknowledged bots are an issue, stating: “We know bots are maddening for consumers.” So there seems to be little doubt bots are frequently used on the platform.
Estimates on how many Ticketmaster tickets are purchased by bots
It’s difficult to determine precisely what percentage of Ticketmaster tickets are scooped up by bots due to the elusive nature of the software. However, some estimates indicate bots purchase a substantial portion:
- Up to 30% – A 2016 investigation by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman found that bots purchase up to 30% of high-demand tickets on Ticketmaster.
- 20% or more – Ticketmaster itself has estimated about 20% or more of tickets to some shows are bought then resold.
- Over 60% – A trade association in the UK estimated over 60% of tickets to popular events are procured by ticket bots.
Though difficult to validate, these estimates indicate bots may purchase somewhere from 20% to over 60% of tickets to in-demand events on Ticketmaster.
Why do people use ticket bots?
There are a few key reasons people run ticket bots on Ticketmaster and other ticket sales platforms:
- To resell for profit – The prime motivation is to resell the tickets at a markup. Bots enable scalpers to buy up inventory before regular fans and command higher prices.
- Acting on behalf of a ticket broker – Bot operators are sometimes hired by ticket brokers to purchase inventory that they resell on secondary platforms.
- To gain an unfair advantage – Some consumers or groups run bots in an attempt to gain an upper hand in buying the best tickets.
The money to be made by scooping up tickets en masse and reselling at two, three or even ten times face value is the foremost reason ticket scalpers utilize bots on a large scale.
Is it legal to use ticket bots?
No, using ticket bots is not legal, though anti-bot legislation is still evolving.
Here are some key laws that prohibit or restrict ticket bots:
- Federal BOTS Act – Passed in 2016, this act made it illegal to use bots to purchase event tickets with the intent to resell them.
- State laws – Many U.S. states including New York, California and Florida have passed laws banning ticket bots.
- UK ban – The United Kingdom banned the use of ticket bots in 2018.
Violators of anti-bot laws generally face civil penalties or fines. However, some lawmakers have pushed for criminal penalties for bot usage.
That said, because ticket bots are automated software tools, they remain difficult to detect and stop. Existing anti-bot laws have faced challenges in being fully enforced so far.
How Ticketmaster combats ticket bots
Ticketmaster utilizes a number of measures aimed at thwarting ticket bots from rapidly gobbling up inventory:
- CAPTCHA – CAPTCHA tests require buyers go through a manual verification step to prove they are human.
- Purchase limits – Limits are placed on the number of tickets each account can buy for a single event.
- IP monitoring – Suspicious IP addresses thought to be associated with bots can be blocked.
- Ticket cancellations – Ticketmaster cancels tickets suspected of being purchased by bots.
In addition, Ticketmaster states they have digital fingerprinting technology that monitors suspicious account patterns and aims to prevent bot ticket purchases.
However, ticket bots have managed to find ways around many of these protections, as the operators work diligently to mask bot activity and make it appear more human-like.
Tips for consumers to get tickets without bots
For regular consumers looking to get tickets in a bots-dominated landscape, here are some tips that may help level the playing field:
- Buy pre-sale tickets – Get access codes for pre-sales, which usually have limited bot activity.
- Use the Ticketmaster app – Bots tend to target desktop web sales, while the app has CAPTCHA built in.
- Avoid reseller platforms – Cut out the secondary markets and buy from venue box offices when possible.
- Join a fan club – Artist fan clubs often get reserved ticket allotments or early access.
- Act quickly – Be ready to pounce and purchase the moment tickets go on sale.
While these measures are helpful, they are no guarantee against an onslaught of aggressive ticket bots. The most foolproof path is to purchase tickets through fan clubs or pre-sales that offer tickets directly at box office prices.
The future of ticket bots
The cat and mouse game between Ticketmaster and ticket scalpers’ bots continues to play out, even as anti-bot laws attempt to crack down.
It seems inevitable ticket bots will grow more advanced and evasive over time as machine learning and AI capabilities improve. As a countermeasure, Ticketmaster is exploring blockchain technology and digital tickets that can’t be copied or resold.
Consumer frustration also continues to mount. A lawsuit was filed in 2018 accusing Ticketmaster of colluding with scalpers and intentionally allowing bots to thrive. But Ticketmaster maintains “We do not partner with nor condone ticket scalpers or the use of ticket buying bots.”
Public perception is that venues, artists and fans all lose out as third-party resellers exploit tickets. Political pressure may ramp up regulations and enforcement of anti-bot laws. But so far, bots remain entrenched in the online ticket marketplace.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it appears highly likely that ticket scalper bots are used extensively on Ticketmaster to purchase large swaths of tickets, with estimates that bots gobble up 20% to over 60% of tickets to high demand events. These tickets are then resold at inflated prices, much to the frustration of fans. Anti-bot laws are stepping up, and Ticketmaster utilizes various technologies to try thwarting bots. However, bots persist as a problematic reality, leaving regular consumers with the chore of competing against the speed and scale of bots in the race for tickets.
Sample Table
Event | Face Value Price | Resale Price |
---|---|---|
Beyonce Concert | $100 | $350 |
NBA Finals Game 1 | $400 | $1000 |
Taylor Swift Stadium Show | $250 | $850 |
This sample table demonstrates how ticket prices on secondary reseller markets can often be several times higher than the face value prices, revealing the profit margins for scalpers using bots.
Bots allow scalpers to rapidly obtain vast quantities of tickets to in-demand events like concerts and championship games. The tickets can then be resold for steep markups. For example, a Beyonce concert ticket with a face value of $100 might get resold illegally for $350 after a bot secures the inventory.
Fans are left paying inflated secondary market prices if they want to attend sold out events. This table illustrates how ticket bots drive up prices and make tickets less accessible. Artists, venues and event organizers also suffer from bot-fueled scalping.
Efforts to crack down on ticket bots remain, but seem to have had limited success so far. Bots enable scalpers to maximize profits, evidenced by the huge difference between initial ticket prices and secondary market prices. Until stronger measures are taken, bots will likely continue feeding the ticket scalping industry.