Ontario raises ticket-scalping fines to $25,000
New law targets resellers charging inflated prices for concerts and sports. Takes effect June 10.
Ontario is cracking down harder on ticket scalpers, raising the maximum fine for repeat offences from $10,000 to $25,000, effective June 10.
The province will also be able to publicly name businesses convicted of illegally reselling tickets above face value. Premier Doug Ford said the move is meant to protect consumers from being "gouged" by resellers charging 10 to 20 times the original ticket price.
Ontario is the only province in Canada making this shift. "We want the average person to be able to go to venues, sports venues, concerts, without being gouged," Ford said Thursday.
The tougher penalties follow earlier crackdowns on the practice. Resellers caught marking up tickets past face value have historically faced lower fines, which enforcement officials say has done little to deter the practice.