Viagogo urges industry-wide ticketing reform after Raye's anti-bot crackdown
Viagogo called Raye’s manual ticket-screening “absurd” and argued that only an open, shared ticketing market can stop bots at the source.
Raye’s management has taken the unusual step of manually reviewing sign-up lists to identify genuine fans and prevent bots from snapping up tickets, a move Viagogo labeled “absurd.” The secondary-ticket marketplace argued that bots infiltrate primary ticketing platforms, so the solution lies in opening the market to multiple authorised sellers and enabling data sharing. Viagogo proposes an airline-style ticketing system that would boost competition, drive down prices and help detect suspicious activity.
The firm, which operates under the StubHub brand in the United States, cited a 400% rise in events where it acts as the primary seller. It expressed support for forthcoming UK anti-bot laws but called on ministers to overhaul the whole sector to allow open distribution and greater fan protection.
Why it matters
The debate could reshape how concert tickets are sold, affecting prices and access for fans worldwide.
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