Reselling tickets in Washington State is legal in most cases, but there are some restrictions and regulations to be aware of. Here is an overview of the laws around ticket resale in Washington:
Reselling tickets is legal
In general, reselling tickets for any price in excess of the face value is legal in Washington. There is no law prohibiting ticket resale at marked up prices.
In 2009, the Washington state legislature passed a law called the Ticket Sales Act that specifically allows reselling tickets at any price on the secondary market. The law states that ticket resellers do not need permission from event organizers to resell tickets.
The Ticket Sales Act also prohibits event venues from restricting ticket resale unless the ticket is subject to a purchasing agreement that prohibits resale. So standard tickets can be resold without issue.
Restrictions on reselling tickets
There are some restrictions on reselling tickets in Washington to be aware of:
- Reselling tickets on restricted property – It is illegal to resell tickets within 500 feet of the venue property line if the venue has posted signage prohibiting ticket resale in that area.
- Reselling fraudulent/stolen tickets – Knowingly reselling stolen, counterfeit, or otherwise void tickets is illegal.
- Reselling tickets acquired through unfair means – Using bots or unfair practices to buy up tickets for resale may be prohibited under Washington’s Consumer Protection Act.
Regulations for major ticket resellers
While anyone can legally resell tickets in Washington, those who do it on a major commercial scale have some regulations to follow:
- Must register with the Department of Licensing.
- Must maintain a permanent office in Washington.
- Must have a $5,000 surety bond.
- Must comply with certain record-keeping and disclosure requirements.
Major ticket resellers who do not follow these regulations can face civil penalties.
Price gouging laws
Washington also has laws against price gouging during states of emergency. These laws prohibit selling essential goods like food, water, and gas at excessive prices after disasters. Ticket price gouging does not fall under these laws.
Local regulations
Some cities and counties in Washington have their own rules around ticket resale:
- Seattle – Limits reselling tickets within 1,000 feet of venues. Requires reseller permits.
- Tacoma – Bans ticket resale within 1,500 feet of venues.
So be sure to check for local municipal regulations as well.
Conclusion
In most cases, reselling tickets for a profit is perfectly legal in Washington State. However, major ticket resellers must follow state registration and disclosure requirements. There are also some venue-specific and local restrictions on where and how tickets can be resold near event locations. As long as you follow state and local ticket resale laws, selling tickets in secondary markets is broadly permissible.
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