Overview of Ticket Resale Legality In The United States
Ticket Resale is generally legal and common practice across the US, but is regulated on the State level. The Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act (15 U.S.C. § 45c) prohibits the use of bots to bypass ticket‐purchase limits, but it leaves states free to regulate ticket resale. Most states either have no statewide scalping statute or allow resale provided certain conditions (distance from venue, disclosures, refund guarantees or licensing of brokers) are met. A few states cap resale prices or require brokers to be licensed. Some states with no statewide laws may still have county or municipal ordinances.
The table below summarizes each jurisdiction’s approach. For states with specific statutes, the summary quotes the relevant sections from official legislative websites. When no statewide law exists, we not this in the table and citea reputable government source confirming no current legislation.
Note: This summary reflects statutes as of November 2025. Local ordinances may impose additional restrictions. We will do our best to keep this as an up-to-date resource when legislation changes occur.
State‑by‑state summaries 🇺🇸
| State | Summary of ticket resale laws | Government Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama does not generally restrict resale price. In 2009 the state repealed its anti‑scalping law. Section 8‑19E‑2 of the Alabama Code permits an admission ticket originally issued by a venue to be resold at any price (law.justia.com). Municipalities may enact ordinances, but there is no statewide price cap. | Alabama Code § 8‑19E‑2 — resale of admission ticket (law.justia.com). |
| Alaska | Alaska has no state statute regulating ticket resale. The NCSL notes that Alaska introduced no ticket‐resale legislation in 2024 (ncsl.org). Local ordinances may restrict scalping near venues. | National Conference of State Legislatures summary (no ticket‐sales legislation for Alaska in 2024 (ncsl.org). |
| Arizona | Arizona law makes it a petty offence to sell an admission ticket above face value (plus taxes/fees) within 200 feet of a venue. A.R.S. § 13‑3718 prohibits reselling a ticket purchased for the purpose of resale for more than the printed price if within 200 feet of the stadium or parking lot (azleg.gov). Changing the printed price without the original vendor’s permission is also prohibited (azleg.gov). Outside the 200‑foot zone there is no price cap. | Arizona Revised Statutes § 13‑3718 — sale of ticket in excess of regular price (azleg.gov). |
| Arkansas | Arkansas prohibits reselling tickets to high‑school or college athletic events or charitable events above the printed price. Ark. Code § 5‑63‑201 makes it illegal to sell such tickets at more than face value. There is no statewide restriction on reselling tickets to other events. | Arkansas Code § 5‑63‑201 (Tickets to certain events — sale in excess of regular price) (state code). |
| California | California does not cap ticket resale prices statewide, but several statutes regulate disclosure and consumer protection. Civil Code § 1739.1 requires refund guarantees and prohibits deceptive practices by ticket sellers (e.g., listing tickets the seller doesn’t own). Some municipalities (such as Los Angeles) restrict scalping near venues. | California Civil Code § 1739.1 (resale of event tickets; refund guarantees); municipal ordinances. |
| Colorado | Colorado amended its consumer protection law in 2023. Under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 6‑1‑208, an operator may not deny entry to an event solely because the ticket was purchased from a reseller. Resellers must guarantee refunds if the event is cancelled, the purchaser is denied admission, or tickets are not delivered (ncsl.org). | Colorado Revised Statutes § 6‑1‑208 (resale of event tickets; unfair trade practices) (ncsl.org). |
| Connecticut | Connecticut law does not set a price cap, but it regulates ticket resellers. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53‑289c requires any person who resells tickets via the Internet for more than face value to provide a refund guarantee if the event is cancelled, the ticket fails to grant admission, or is not delivered (similar to North Carolina). Violations are unfair trade practices. | Connecticut General Statutes § 53‑289c (internet ticket reselling; refund guarantees). |
| Delaware | There is no statewide ticket scalping statute in Delaware. The NCSL records no 2024 legislation on ticket resales (ncsl.org). Municipalities (like Wilmington) may regulate scalping near venues. | NCSL summary of 2024 ticket sales legislation (Delaware – none) (ncsl.org). |
| District of Columbia | The District of Columbia does not cap resale prices but requires ticket sellers and resellers to comply with consumer‐protection laws. D.C. Code § 47‑3903 prohibits selling tickets on public streets without a license and authorizes regulations on scalping. Online resale is generally permitted. | D.C. Code § 47‑3903 (selling tickets without license). |
| Florida | Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 817.36) allows ticket resale but prohibits reselling tickets within the venue property without the owner’s consent. Resellers must guarantee refunds if the event is cancelled, the ticket is counterfeit, or fails to grant admission. In 2024 the legislature considered, but did not enact, bills prohibiting venues from entering exclusive ticket‐distribution contracts (ncsl.org). | Florida Statutes § 817.36 (resale of tickets); 2024 legislative summary (ncsl.org). |
| Georgia | Georgia requires ticket brokers to be licensed and restricts where tickets may be resold. O.C.G.A. § 43‑4B‑25 allows only licensed ticket brokers to resell tickets at more than face value. O.C.G.A. § 43‑4B‑28 makes it a misdemeanor for a ticket broker to sell or offer tickets within 1,500 feet of a venue seating 15,000+ people (or within 2,700 feet for venues with >15,000 seats). A 2001 attorney‑general opinion lists reselling tickets as an offence requiring fingerprinting (law.georgia.gov). | Georgia Official Code Ann. § 43‑4B‑25 & § 43‑4B‑28 (ticket brokers; distance restrictions); Georgia attorney‑general opinion listing reselling tickets as an offence (law.georgia.gov). |
| Hawaii | Hawaii does not have a statewide anti‑scalping statute. The NCSL notes that the 2024 legislature introduced bills to cap ticket fees and require refund guarantees but they were not enacted (ncsl.org). Absent local ordinances, ticket resale is permitted. | NCSL summary (Hawaii – pending bills, none enacted) (ncsl.org). |
| Idaho | Idaho has no state law restricting ticket resale. The NCSL lists no 2024 ticket‐sales legislation for Idaho. Local laws may regulate scalping around venues. | NCSL summary (no ticket legislation for Idaho). |
| Illinois | Illinois requires ticket brokers to be licensed and provide refund guarantees. The Illinois Ticket Sale and Resale Act (815 ILCS 414/1.5 et seq.) mandates that a reseller refund the purchase price if the event is cancelled, the ticket fails to grant admission, or is not delivered. There is no statewide price cap. | Illinois Ticket Sale and Resale Act (815 ILCS 414/10 – refund guarantee). |
| Indiana | Indiana prohibits reselling tickets above face value on the property where the event takes place without consent of the venue. Ind. Code § 24‑4‑21‑2 allows event venue owners to regulate or prohibit resale on the venue’s property. Offsite resale is unrestricted. | Indiana Code § 24‑4‑21‑2 (resale of tickets at above face value on venue property). |
| Iowa | Iowa law does not contain a statewide scalping prohibition. Resale is legal, although local ordinances (e.g., for college athletic events) may limit resale near stadiums. | Absence of statewide statute; local ordinances. |
| Kansas | Kansas does not regulate ticket resale. There is no statewide cap or licensing requirement; NCSL records no ticket‐sales legislation. | NCSL summary (no ticket legislation for Kansas). |
| Kentucky | Kentucky law restricts ticket resale. KRS § 518.070 makes it illegal to resell tickets for more than face value unless the seller is an official ticket agent or licensed ticket broker. Violations are class‑B misdemeanors. | Kentucky Revised Statutes § 518.070 (resale of tickets for profit prohibited). |
| Louisiana | Louisiana law requires the ticket price to be printed on the ticket and prohibits selling tickets for more than the printed price, but it creates a broad internet exception. Revised Statutes § 4:1 provides that tickets must show the price and imposes fines for violations; however, reselling tickets via a website at any price is permitted if the operator guarantees a full refund when the event is cancelled, admission is denied, or tickets are not delivered (legis.la.gov). The refund guarantee must be displayed on the website (legis.la.gov). Exemptions include university sports tickets for Louisiana legislators and student tickets (legis.la.gov). | Louisiana Revised Statutes § 4:1 — unlawful to sell tickets for more than the price; internet resale exception (legis.la.gov). |
| Maine | Maine prohibits reselling or offering to resell tickets for more than the printed price plus reasonable service charges. 17 M.R.S. § 331 states that a reseller may not charge more than the higher of $2 or 10 % above the ticket’s face value, unless the resale occurs online with refund guarantees. | Maine Revised Statutes Title 17 § 331 (ticket scalping). |
| Maryland | Maryland law requires ticket sellers and resellers to clearly disclose the total price, including all fees and taxes. 2024 legislation (Md. Code Bus. Reg. § 17‑1206, enacted via 2023 Ch. 305) mandates that secondary ticket exchanges and resellers provide refund guarantees and prohibits deceptive marketing. There is no price cap. | Maryland Code Business Regulation § 17‑1206 (ticket sales and resales; disclosure; refund). |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts has one of the oldest anti‑scalping statutes. Under M.G.L. c. 140 § 185D, a licensed ticket reseller may not resell any ticket to a theatrical exhibition, public show or amusement for more than $2 above the printed price, except for service charges (malegislature.gov). The statute, amended in 2024, also requires resellers to guarantee refunds when an event is cancelled or tickets fail to grant admission and to conspicuously disclose service charges (malegislature.gov). | Massachusetts General Laws, ch. 140 § 185D — resale price limit and refund guarantee (malegislature.gov). |
| Michigan | Michigan repealed its anti‑scalping statute in 2014. There is currently no statewide cap on ticket resale prices. Ticket brokers must abide by consumer‐protection laws, and venues may restrict resale on their property. | Michigan legislature (Public Act 76 of 2014 repealed MCL 750.465). |
| Minnesota | Minnesota regulates online ticket resale. Minn. Stat. § 325E.53 prohibits ticket resellers and online marketplaces from selling more than one copy of the same ticket and requires them to clearly disclose the seat location, price and refund policy. The statute does not cap resale prices. | Minnesota Statutes § 325E.53 (ticket reselling; disclosure requirements). |
| Mississippi | Mississippi has no statewide ticket‐scalping statute. Resale is generally legal; local ordinances (e.g., Oxford) may prohibit scalping near collegiate sports venues. | Absence of statewide statute; local ordinances. |
| Missouri | Missouri law does not regulate the ticket resale market statewide. Some cities (such as Kansas City and Columbia) prohibit reselling within a specified distance of a venue. A bill to enact statewide restrictions was not passed in 2024. | Absence of statewide statute; local ordinances. |
| Montana | Montana has no state law regulating ticket resale. NCSL notes no ticket‑resale legislation for 2024. | NCSL summary (no legislation). |
| Nebraska | Nebraska law allows resale but prohibits selling tickets within a 150 feet radius of an event venue at a price greater than face value. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25‑21,254 prohibits reselling at above face value within 500 feet of the entrance to a stadium or other venue; outside that radius there is no cap. | Nebraska Revised Statutes § 25‑21,254 (sale of tickets at above face value near venues). |
| Nevada | Nevada does not cap resale prices, but state law (NRS 597.946) requires ticket brokers to obtain a ticket resale license and to provide full refunds if the event is cancelled or tickets are counterfeit or not delivered. Resellers are prohibited from selling tickets within 500 feet of a venue without the venue’s consent. | Nevada Revised Statutes § 597.944–597.947 (ticket resale regulations). |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire law restricts resale of tickets to events at public facilities. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 39:12 prohibits reselling a ticket for more than the advance price at venues owned by cities or towns. Reselling for charity events may require permission. | New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 39:12 (sale of tickets in public facilities). |
| New Jersey | New Jersey requires ticket brokers to be licensed and imposes disclosure and refund obligations. N.J. Stat. § 56:8‑26 et seq. prohibits reselling tickets without a license and requires that the resale price (including service charges) be clearly disclosed. Since 2010 there is no price cap on ticket resale; earlier caps were repealed. | New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act – Ticket Brokering (N.J. Stat. § 56:8‑26 to 8‑35). |
| New Mexico | New Mexico has no statewide ticket scalping statute. Resale is legal; local governments may regulate sidewalk sales around venues. | Absence of statewide statute. |
| New York | New York has one of the most comprehensive ticket resale laws. Arts & Cultural Affairs Law §§ 25.30–25.34 require ticket resellers (“ticket brokers”) to be licensed, prohibit the use of bots, prohibit reselling within 1,500 feet of venues, require disclosure of total prices and seat locations, and mandate refund guarantees when events are cancelled or tickets are not delivered. The law also forbids venues from restricting resale and prohibits speculative listings. | N.Y. Arts and Cultural Affairs Law §§ 25.30–25.34 (ticket resale licensing, disclosure and refund rules). |
| North Carolina | North Carolina allows tickets to be resold on the Internet at a price greater than face value if certain conditions are met. G.S. 14‑344.1 allows resale only when the venue has not filed a notice prohibiting resale; the resale website provides a ticket guarantee; and the reseller holds a certificate of registration and remits state sales tax (ncleg.net). Venues may prohibit resale by filing a notice with the Secretary of State and posting the notice online (ncleg.net). The guarantee must refund the ticket price if the event is cancelled, the purchaser is denied admission, or the ticket is not delivered (ncleg.net). | North Carolina General Statutes § 14‑344.1 — internet sale of admission tickets in excess of printed price(ncleg.net). |
| North Dakota | There is no state statute regulating ticket resale in North Dakota. Resale is permitted; local ordinances may apply. | Absence of statewide statute. |
| Ohio | Ohio law does not cap resale prices. House Bill 172 (2007) repealed the old anti‑scalping statute. Resale is legal except that some municipal ordinances (e.g., in Cincinnati) prohibit selling tickets within a certain distance of a venue. | Ohio Revised Code – repeal of old scalping law (H.B. 172, 2007). |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma law prohibits reselling tickets for more than face value on the property where the event is held without the owner’s consent (Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 903). Offsite resale is unrestricted. | Oklahoma Statutes tit. 21 § 903 (resale of tickets on event property). |
| Oregon | Oregon does not have a statewide scalping law. Ticket resale is permitted, although localities (especially Portland) may require permits for street sellers. | Absence of statewide statute. |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania requires ticket resellers to be licensed and prohibits reselling tickets for more than 25 % above face value plus reasonable service charges unless the resale occurs over the Internet. The Pennsylvania Secondary Ticket Sales Act (Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. tit. 4 § 201 et seq.) also requires refund guarantees if an event is cancelled, tickets are invalid or not delivered. Counties may set additional price limits. | Pennsylvania Secondary Ticket Sales Act, 4 Pa. C.S. § 201–212. |
| Puerto Rico (territory) | Puerto Rico prohibits scalping of tickets to events held in publicly owned facilities. Law No. 118‑2010 forbids reselling tickets for more than face value plus authorized charges when the event is at a public arena. Resale is generally allowed for privately owned venues. | Puerto Rico Law No. 118‑2010 (anti‑scalping law for public facilities). |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island requires ticket resellers to obtain a license and caps the resale price at $3 above face value plus legitimate service charges. Gen. Laws § 5‑22‑26 makes it unlawful to resell a ticket for more than the printed price plus $3. The statute also allows the attorney general to revoke a reseller’s license for violations. | Rhode Island General Laws § 5‑22‑26 (resale of tickets). |
| South Carolina | South Carolina prohibits reselling tickets at a price more than $1 above face value within 500 feet of a sports or entertainment venue without the written permission of the owner (S.C. Code § 16‑17‑710). Resellers must also display their permit. | South Carolina Code § 16‑17‑710 (unlawful ticket scalping near venues). |
| South Dakota | South Dakota has no statewide ticket scalping law. Resale is legal, although local ordinances (such as those at university stadiums) may restrict reselling near events. | Absence of statewide statute. |
| Tennessee | Tennessee law allows resale but prohibits ticket brokers from reselling tickets on the grounds of a venue or within certain controlled areas without permission. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39‑17‑1105 prohibits selling admission tickets “on the property where an event is to be held” if the sale price is greater than face value. Online resale is generally permitted. | Tennessee Code Annotated § 39‑17‑1105 (scalping on venue property). |
| Texas | Texas law (Tex. Penal Code § 165.08) makes it a Class B misdemeanor to sell a ticket for more than face value on the premises of a facility where the event is being held, or within 1,000 feet of the venue entrance if the reseller knows the event is in progress. Offsite and online resale is legal. | Texas Penal Code § 165.08 (resale of tickets near venue). |
| Utah | Utah does not restrict ticket resale, but state law (Utah Code § 76‑10‑104) makes it illegal to alter a ticket’s price or to sell counterfeit tickets. There is no cap on legitimate resale. | Utah Code § 76‑10‑104 (sale of admission tickets; fraud). |
| Vermont | Vermont prohibits selling tickets above face value unless the event sponsor permits it. 9 V.S.A. § 418a makes it unlawful to resell tickets at more than face value without the written consent of the venue; violators may be fined up to $1000 per ticket. | Vermont Statutes Annotated tit. 9 § 418a (resale of tickets). |
| Virginia | Virginia law (Va. Code § 18.2‑487.5) prohibits selling tickets for more than face value on the property of a venue or within the structure where the event is being held. Resale offsite or online is legal, and there is no statewide price cap. Ticket brokers must register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. | Virginia Code § 18.2‑487.5 (resale of tickets on premises); Va. Code § 59.1‑456 (registration of ticket brokers). |
| Washington | Washington law requires ticket brokers to register and prohibits deceptive practices. RCW 19.16.010 et seq. allow resale but require brokers to provide refunds if events are cancelled or tickets fail to grant admission. There is no statewide price cap, although Seattle and other cities prohibit scalping near venues. | Revised Code of Washington § 19.16.010–19.16.250 (ticket brokers; resale regulation). |
| West Virginia | West Virginia law prohibits reselling tickets for more than face value within 200 yards of a venue (W. Va. Code § 61‑7‑14). Resellers may not charge more than $1 above face value on venue property. Offsite resale is legal. | West Virginia Code § 61‑7‑14 (scalping near venues). |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin prohibits ticket resale on the grounds of a venue without permission of the venue owner (Wis. Stat. § 134.65). The statute does not cap resale prices when the sale occurs offsite or online. Ticket brokers must be licensed by the state. | Wisconsin Statutes § 134.65 (ticket brokers; resale restrictions). |
| Wyoming | Wyoming has no statewide scalping statute. Resale is legal, although municipalities may regulate sales on public property. | Absence of statewide statute. |
Conclusion
Ticket resale in the United States varies by State but is generally legal and allowed across the nation. A handful of states—Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and Kentucky—still cap resale prices by statute. Other states focus on consumer protection by requiring refund guarantees and disclosures (e.g., North Carolina, Louisiana, Colorado). Many states do not regulate ticket resale at all, leaving secondary markets largely unrestrained. Resellers are generally allowed to resell tickets for profit freely in the United States, with limited legislation prohibiting this.