Illicit traders aim to acquire event tickets using automated software
In the world of live entertainment, ticket touts have been a persistent issue for fans, using computer programs to gain access to tickets and reselling them at inflated prices. However, Eventim, the world's second-largest ticket provider, is taking a stand against this practice.
Eventim's platform for ticket resale, Fansale, operates at cost, and the company organises concerts, theater performances, and sporting events across various venues, including the Waldbühne in Berlin. Klaus-Peter Schulenberg, CEO of Eventim, has observed millions of bot requests during major onsales, particularly at large sporting events like the Olympics and when prominent artists like Ed Sheeran are performing.
To combat ticket touts using bots, Eventim employs several measures. These include strict ticket purchase limits per buyer, such as a maximum of 6 tickets per show per customer. Any transactions detected as bot purchases, duplicate account purchases, or suspicious high-volume orders exceeding limits are cancelled.
Eventim also requires users to link their purchasing device to a unique CPF (a Brazilian individual taxpayer registry identification) at electronic ticket offices, preventing the reuse of devices or CPFs across multiple registrations. This helps reduce automated multiple purchases.
The company encourages users to register accounts and log in prior to sales, which helps speed legitimate purchases while enabling better monitoring for suspicious activity such as creating multiple accounts. Transactions are monitored, and suspicious purchases can be cancelled proactively by Eventim to maintain fairness.
Furthermore, after purchase, tickets are unique and non-transferable copies that should be protected to prevent fraudsters exploiting ticket leakage.
In summary, Eventim's anti-bot measures rely on ticket purchase limits per buyer, detection and cancellation of bot or duplicate account transactions, device-to-account linking with unique IDs (such as CPF), emphasis on legitimate user registration prior to sales, and ticket uniqueness and responsibility placed on buyers to protect tickets from unauthorised sharing or copying. These combined measures help prevent automated bot purchases and limit unethical ticket resale through automated means.
Schulenberg emphasized that too much usury, abuse, and fraud have occurred on unauthorized secondary market platforms in the past. By implementing these measures, Eventim aims to provide a fair and accessible ticket purchasing experience for all fans.
Live Nation Entertainment, the largest ticket provider globally, remains a formidable competitor, but Eventim's commitment to combating ticket touts and ensuring fair ticket sales sets it apart in the live entertainment industry.
The following measures implemented by Eventim aim to combat cybersecurity threats through the use of bots in the ticket resale market. These include strict ticket purchase limits per buyer, device-to-account linking with unique identifiers, mandatory user account registration, and the securing of unique and non-transferable tickets to prevent unauthorized sharing or copying.
In addition, Eventim organizes varied events across multiple genres, such as concerts, theater performances, and sports, including global events like the Olympics and performances by popular artists like Ed Sheeran. This broad coverage further highlights the company's commitment to ensuring a fair and accessible experience in the entertainment technology sector.
