Ticket Scalping: Unscrupulous or Entrepreneurial?

By lily (Chief Contributor)
Tags: tickets, ACC sports, scalping, Carolina Hurricanes, NASCAR, Hannah Montana

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Created: 07/12/2008
1:10 PM

A new bill has been presented in the North Carolina State Congress which would attempt to regulate second-hand ticket sales -- also known as scalping, a practice which is currently illegal in the state.  So why enable it by enacting this legislation? 

Supporters claim that it will cut down on sales of fake tickets -- an expensive mistake for those who fall for it -- and many professional sports franchises like the Carolina Hurricanes and Lowes Motor Speedway, home of NASCAR, are standing behind the law as well.

Opponents wonder why regulating an illegal industry is even being considered -- shouldn't the goal be to stop unscrupulous people from breaking the law?

What do you think?  Would this new law help level the playing field in a world where Hannah Montana concerts sell out in five minutes and fake Panthers tickets leave fans out in the cold?

What's more -- what impact will it have on ACC football and basketball tickets?

Yes.  Regulating the scalping industry ensures that people aren't suckered into buying worthless fake tickets, and it keeps teams from losing money when season tickets go unused.  Everyone wins.

No.  Allowing scalpers to operate despite breaking the law just ensures that only people of a certain income can afford to attend sports games and concerts.  Only a fraction of the population has even a hope of winning.