Unscrupulous individuals aim to acquire event tickets using automated software
Fighting Ticket Scalping: Eventim's Approach
Ticket scalping by automated bots is a growing issue in large-scale events, such as concerts and travel bookings. These bots can dominate online traffic, prevent fair access to tickets, and inflate prices. Eventim, a leading global ticket provider, is tackling this problem head-on.
Eventim, the world's second-largest ticket provider (behind Live Nation Entertainment), has integrated security checks to protect against automated spam bots during ticket sales. These measures include AI-driven CAPTCHAs and other bot-detection technologies. The company also uses device fingerprinting, identity verification, and dynamic business rules engines to detect and block scalpers' automated tools.
In addition to selling tickets for concerts, theater performances, and sporting events, Eventim operates the Fansale platform since 2007, where customers can resell tickets. However, the company has taken steps to prevent bots from purchasing tickets on this platform to resell them at high prices on unauthorized secondary markets.
The private resale of tickets is generally allowed in Germany, but promoters can prohibit commercial resale of tickets. Last year, Eventim temporarily suspended the resale of Taylor Swift tickets due to a hacker attack.
Schulenberg, Eventim's CEO, reported that bot requests are particularly prevalent at large sporting events like the Olympics and concerts of artists like Ed Sheeran. Millions of bot requests occur during major ticket onsales, according to Schulenberg. Despite these challenges, Eventim remains committed to ensuring fair ticket distribution and combating ticket scalping.
It's worth noting that the scale of ticket scalping is unknown, and enforcement of anti-bot or anti-scalping laws remains challenging due to fragmented regulations and technical evasion by sophisticated bot operators. However, broader anti-scalping measures rely on a combination of technology, legislation (like the BOTS Act), and enforcement efforts.
Schulenberg emphasized that there has been abuse, usury, and fraud on both authorized and unauthorized secondary markets in the past. Fansale operates at cost, according to Schulenberg, aiming to provide a fair and affordable platform for ticket resale.
In summary, ticket scalping by bots remains a significant issue, but Eventim and other ticket platforms are actively deploying advanced technological tools to prevent bot abuses and improve fairness in ticket distribution.
Eventim's cybersecurity measures, including AI-driven CAPTCHAs and device fingerprinting, are not limited to primary ticket sales but also apply to the Fansale platform to combat ticket scalping bots. The company aims to extend fair access to tickets in the entertainment industry, such as sports events and concerts, by also addressing the problem of ticket scalping in the technology-driven secondary market.
