Industry Bodies Applaud Maine’s New Ticketing Laws

Maine has introduced new ticketing legislation designed to protect consumers from inflated secondary ticket pricing, fraudulent ticketing and excessive fees.

The legislation:

• Maine Public Law 354, AKA S.P. 403/L.D. 913, was signed by Maine Governor Janet Mills on June 18, and will take effect 90 days from that date.

• It introduces a 10% cap on ticket resale price above face value, with the aim of preventing scalpers and automated bots from driving up prices.

• Speculative ticketing, in which sellers advertise tickets they don’t yet own or aren’t yet on sale, will be banned.

• To eliminate ‘junk fees,’ primary and secondary ticket sellers must disclose all mandatory fees upfront, with the total price displayed more prominently than any other pricing information. They must also provide a detailed breakdown of all fees.

• Sellers must specify the seat, number or section at the time of purchase, so buyers can make informed choices.

• Refunds for counterfeit tickets, undelivered tickets, or tickets that are materially misrepresented are also mandated under the legislation.

• Maine Public Law 354 prohibits the use of bots to circumvent ticket purchase limits.

• It also bans deceptive websites or branding that confuses buyers, leading them to believe they are buying from official sources.

• Violations of these laws carry penalties of up to $10,000 per infraction.

What they said:

• Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and Co-Chair of the Fix the Tix Coalition: “By creating this law, Maine’s state elected leaders have shown the rest of the country what’s possible. This legislation doesn’t just protect fans – it rebalances the live event ecosystem to put power back in the hands of consumers, artists, and venues.”

• He added: “By banning fake tickets, capping resale at a fair 10% above face value, and ensuring clear accountability for deceptive practices, Maine has created a blueprint for ticketing reform that other states and Congress should now follow.”