Maryland Ticket Resale Law Deemed Insufficient by Venue Operators
Two years after Maryland implemented a law regulating third-party ticket sales for events, venue operators in the Washington D.C. and Hagerstown area argue that the law is insufficient. They cite the lack of a resale price cap as a major…
Washington, DC, August 12, 2026 —
Two years after Maryland enacted legislation aimed at regulating third-party ticket sales, venue operators in the Washington D.C. and Hagerstown regions contend that the law falls short of adequately protecting consumers and artists.
A primary concern highlighted by these operators is the absence of a resale price cap within the current Maryland law. They argue that this deficiency permits scalpers to charge excessively high prices for event tickets. Furthermore, venue operators suggest that the law has not effectively curbed the use of automated bots, which are often employed by scalpers to acquire large quantities of tickets, contributing to inflated prices and limited availability for the general public.
While the existing Maryland law has reportedly been effective in curtailing certain illicit practices, such as the listing of tickets for events that do not exist or have not yet gone on sale, venue operators believe further measures are necessary. These stakeholders are now advocating for potential amendments to the legislation.
Consideration is being given to incorporating a resale price cap, a measure recently adopted in Washington D.C. such as a recently enacted D.C. law. Such a cap could align Maryland’s regulations with those in neighboring jurisdictions and potentially offer greater protection to consumers and support the local arts and entertainment economy. The specifics of proposed amendments and the timeline for their introduction were not detailed.
Story summarized from the original created by Mark Jenkins on washingtoncitypaper.com, see more information here.
