AusLeisure

The Adelaide Venue Management Corporation (AVMC) has issued an online warning to consumers looking to purchase tickets for A-League matches at Coopers Stadium.

AVMC, which manages the Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Coopers Stadium, has advised on its website "WARNING – Fans who search for 'Coopers Stadium' tickets on Google or other search engines could be redirected to a resale site that looks official, but leaves the buyer vulnerable to over priced tickets that could be cancelled or made invalid. Only tickets purchased from Ticketek will be valid at Coopers Stadium."

Meanwhile, Australian Leisure Management has learned of a resurgence in online ticket scalping activity relating to events handled by BASS Ticketing, with apparently Ukranian-based resellers targeting The Australian Ballet and other events.

New South Australian legislation introduced last December to crackdown on ticket scalping has seen 18 resale advertisements pulled down from sites including Gumtree and eBay.

As reported by the Adelaide Advertiser, the illegally listed tickets were for events including Metallica (now cancelled), the AFL clash between Adelaide and Port Adelaide, Hugh Jackman and UK comedian Michael McIntyre, with at least one ticket listed for more than three times the legal resale amount.

The law made it illegal for tickets to be sold for more than 110% of the original sale price, with those who break it facing on-the-spot fines of $550.

South Australia's Consumer and Business Services (CBS) department is understood to have received 25 complaints about ticket scalping, with investigations into 12 of those underway. However, it is yet to fine or prosecute a business or individual for listing or publishing illegal tickets.

No action was taken from the 13 complaints that have been assessed, with eight relating to tickets sold before the laws came into effect, three having “insufficient evidence” and one customer having received a full refund.

A CBS spokesman said it was too early to gauge the effectiveness of the new legislation, but the organisation would now begin fining ad-hosting businesses who broke the law, after an initial six-month grace period had ended.

The spokesperson advised "as more cases are dealt with, we will be in a better position to assess how well they are working."

Two CBS staff members monitor sites used for ticket resales as part of their regular duties, with the illegal advertisements all picked up as part of proactive monitoring.

Image: Adelaide United fans at Coopers Stadium.

Related Articles

13th October 2019 - Adelaide Festival Centre executive fights back against online ticket scalpers and reseller sites

8th October 2019 - Google ban sees decline in Viagogo business activity

7th October 2019 - Schedule released for Ticketing Professionals Australia Conference

4th October 2019 - Court decision allows New Zealand Commerce Commission to continue Viagogo legal action

17th September 2019 - Unauthorised ticket resales hit Greater Shepparton’s Riverlinks venue

17th September 2019 - Adelaide Entertainment Centre transforms into new home for NBL’s 36ers

13th September 2019 - AFL finals tickets packages removed from sale amid scalping claims

19th August 2019 - Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation launches ‘Buy A Seat’ fundraising campaign

30th July 2019 - Ticketmaster to introduce new anti-ticket scalping technology in Australia

11th February 2019 - Concert promoter Michael Chugg says Viagogo is ‘out of control ... f***ing thieves’

11th January 2019 - ACCC warns against social media ticket scams for sold-out concert tickets

26th October 2018 - South Australian Government introduces new ticket scalping legislation

6th July 2014 - 15,000 Coopers Stadium seats donated to Adelaide sports clubs

28th March 2014 - Scalpers fleece Adelaide footy fans

10th October 2013 - Adelaide’s Coopers Stadium gets $1 million refit for A-League season

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.