Ontario is cracking down on illegal ticket resales ahead of World Cup. Will it actually help consumers?

With almost a hebdomad to go before Toronto hosts its number one FIFA domain transfuse gibe, Ontario is increasing fines for illegal ticket resales, a move one expert says won't actually help buyers score more affordable tickets. 

The province announced Thursday that it will increase the maximum penalty for illegal ticket resales from $10,000 to $25,000 for repeat offenders, touting it as a move that protects Ontario consumers and families. It will also publicly name ticketing businesses found to be selling tickets above face value, according to its news release. 

But the legislation and newly increased fines create “a lot more risk to consumers,” says David Clement, the policy director for international advocacy group Consumer Choice Centre.

The ability to re-sell tickets still exists, said Clement, it just doesn’t exist in a “properly maintained" space, so customers can get ripped off on third-party platforms. 

Clement said that the new rules, which come into effect June 10, won’t deter resellers because instead of reselling tickets on regulated and licenced platforms like Ticketmaster, they’ll just turn to outlets that have no protections for buyers. 

Rules around ticket resales were changed earlier this year when the province passed its budget, which included a provision that made it illegal for live event tickets to be re-sold for more than their original cost. 

The end of ticket gouging in Ontario? New law caps resales prices

Clement said he doesn’t see a scenario in which “anybody is fined” for illegal ticket resales because it will be “incredibly hard” to locate the reseller and prove what the face value of a ticket was before it sold on a secondary site.

Why FIFA World Cup tickets aren't selling out in Toronto

FIFA is the official seller and reseller of World Cup match tickets. In April, it temporarily delisted its resale tickets to comply with Ontario’s new rules.

Face-value and resale tickets for Toronto’s first World Cup match on June 12 are still available on the official FIFA website. But resale tickets for the World Cup games have shown up on third-party platforms.

Some fans say even though they want to go, they’re priced out. 

Alex Morales, a long-time soccer fan, hoped he’d be able to grab some tickets with friends. But when he saw what they were selling for, he quickly became discouraged. 

“The prices were too much … it’s more than your rent,” he said.

Speaking at an unrelated news conference Thursday, Premier Doug Ford said he wants to see the “average person to be able to go to venues, sports venues, [and] concerts without getting gouged.” 

“I have no problem with companies making a profit. I have a problem with monopolies and gouging the average citizen that can’t bring their kids to a game,” he said.

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