Ticket Resale Regulatory Landscape
Ticket resale is regulated by state laws that vary significantly across jurisdictions. Some states prohibit resale above face value, others allow it with disclosure requirements, and some have minimal regulation. Operating a resale platform or processing resale transactions requires understanding applicable laws.
Price disclosure requirements in many states mandate that resale listings show both resale price and face value. Customers must understand how much they're paying above the original ticket price. Platforms that obscure face value may face regulatory action.
Fee disclosure requirements affect how processing costs and service fees are presented. Some states require that all mandatory fees be included in displayed prices. Hidden fees added at checkout may violate consumer protection laws.
Refund and guarantee requirements vary by platform and state. Some states require that resale platforms guarantee ticket validity. Others mandate specific refund policies for failed deliveries or cancelled events.
Processing Implications for Ticket Resale
Processor underwriting for resale platforms considers regulatory compliance and dispute risk. Resale transactions have elevated chargeback potential—buyers may dispute if tickets don't work, if events cancel, or if they paid more than expected.
Dispute patterns in resale differ from primary ticketing. Buyer remorse about paying above face value, failures in peer-to-peer delivery, and confusion about guarantee terms all generate chargebacks distinct from primary sale disputes.
Escrow or delayed settlement arrangements may be appropriate for resale transactions. Holding funds until successful event attendance or confirmed ticket delivery protects against disputes. Processors may require such arrangements.
Documentation requirements for resale should capture transaction terms, price disclosures, and delivery confirmation. When disputes arise, evidence of compliant transactions supports defense.
How Goodlane Group Supports Resale Compliance
We help ticket resale operations understand how regulations affect payment processing. Compliance posture influences processor willingness to underwrite and terms offered.
Our analysis of transaction flows identifies disclosure and documentation improvements. Changes that enhance compliance also typically reduce chargebacks.
We connect resale platforms with processors experienced in secondary ticketing. These processors understand resale-specific risk patterns and regulatory considerations.
For platforms facing compliance questions or elevated disputes, we help address concerns and implement improvements.