Round Table China
Bot-driven scalping kills fair ticket access
Apr 14, 2025
Ticket scalping has gone digital, making it nearly impossible for real fans to secure seats for events. Automated bots are driving prices up and exacerbating the issue, as seen with high-profile tours like Taylor Swift's. The conversation shifts to challenges in China, where third-party brokers complicate ticket access. Solutions like anti-scalping technologies gain attention. Plus, inspiring stories from an English speech contest highlight the transformative power of language learning. The emotional struggles of a successful actress reveal the complex nature of familial expectations.
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Quick takeaways
- Automated bots have transformed ticket scalping into a global issue, severely limiting fair access for genuine fans and consumers.
- Initiatives like the 'Fight for Fairer Ticketing' campaign highlight collaborative efforts to push for regulatory changes against scalping practices.
Deep dives
The Impact of Ticket Scalping
Ticket scalping has evolved into a global and digital problem, affecting various events and services. Automated bots are often responsible for purchasing tickets at lightning speed, leaving actual fans unable to secure them. For instance, scalping costs UK music fans approximately £145 million annually due to inflated resale prices. This automated purchasing has infiltrated other areas as well, such as restaurant reservations and medical appointments, making it a widespread issue with significant implications for access and fairness.
