Court delivers blow to UFC ticket scalper

Last updated: 28 November 2024

  • WA’s ticket scalping laws catch up to man in Perth Magistrates Court
  • Advertised UFC 284 ticket for up to $1,895 more than allowed
  • First prosecution after man chose court over paying infringement 

A Perth man who tried to resell a ticket to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 284 match for up to 77 per cent more than the original price has been ordered to pay a total of $2,756.25 by the Perth Magistrates Court.

The man received a spent conviction and $2,000 fine after pleading guilty to two charges of breaching WA’s ticket scalping laws, which only allow tickets to be resold at a maximum of ten per cent above the original ticket price. He was also ordered to pay $756.25 in costs.

The man bought a $2,821.95 ticket, plus a refund option, for a friend who could not attend the event hosted at Perth’s RAC Arena on 12 February 2023. Instead of seeking a refund, he tried to profit by advertising the ticket twice on the same platform, once for $5,000 and again for $4,500. 

In sentencing, Magistrate Hall acknowledged the need to deter ticket scalping and to impose a penalty no less than the original infringement issued by Consumer Protection.

Courts can impose fines of up to $20,000 for individuals found to have breached ticket scalping legislation, while even higher penalties of $100,000 can apply to those illegally using ‘bots’ to purchase bulk tickets.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake said this was the first prosecution of its kind in WA, after the man elected to go to court instead of paying the $2,000 infringement.

“This case sends a clear message that Consumer Protection is committed to protecting consumers from ticket scalping and ensuring a fair marketplace,” Ms Blake said.

“Ticket scalping takes advantage of desperate fans by overcharging them, or worse, causing them to lose their money altogether if a resale restriction applies that invalidates any ticket sold at an illegally inflated price.

“This predatory practice also creates an uneven playing field for legitimate resellers who follow the law, makes events more expensive and can potentially even threaten the commercial viability of hosting them.”

People who see tickets being advertised online for more than 10 per cent of their original value are encouraged lodge a report with Consumer Protection by emailing consumer@demirs.wa.gov.au and including as much information as possible, such as screenshots of the adverts, any weblinks, and ad identification or reference numbers. Enquiries can be made by calling 1300 30 40 54.

Further information is on Consumer Protection’s ticket scalping and reselling webpage.

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Media Contact: cpmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au