The Florida Legislature is considering a bill that would do away with the state's ticket-scalping ban.
Under current law, tickets to concerts, sports events or theater performances cannot be resold for more than $1 over the face value. Under legislation introduced in both houses, Internet sales would be legal at any price as long as the transaction is done through a site that offers protection like refunds for canceled events or tickets that do not arrive on time, The Miami Herald reported.
Scalpers who stand outside arenas to sell tickets and who now face arrest and fines if they charge more than the face value, would be able to add 25 percent to the face value.
Ticket brokers can resell tickets now at a sky's-the-limit price if they are sold as part of travel packages, which means they can do well on popular events while other resellers have a choice between breaking the law and making no money.
State Rep. Marcelo Llorente, a Miami Republican, said that Internet sales have become a fact of life, and the law will offer consumers protections they do not have.
© Copyright 2006 by United Press International
