Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a new set of laws aimed at stopping ticket bots from buying up concert and event tickets. The package is being called the “Taylor Swift bills” because it was inspired by problems fans faced during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour ticket sales.
The new laws allow Michigan’s attorney general to take action against people or companies that use bots to unfairly buy tickets online. Anyone caught using bots could be fined up to $5,000 per ticket. One of the bills also creates the Event Online Ticket Sales Act, which adds rules to better control how tickets are sold online and limit bot activity.
“Bot-scammers have long taken advantage of Michigan consumers by purchasing event tickets in bulk and funneling them into an inflated resale market, pricing far too many folks out of the joy and community built at live entertainment events.”
State leaders say ticket bots have been hurting fans for years by buying large numbers of tickets and reselling them at much higher prices. This often leaves real fans unable to afford shows, concerts, or sporting events.
The laws are similar to the federal BOTS Act passed in 2016, but Michigan lawmakers wanted stronger state-level enforcement. The bills were passed by both the House and Senate and had to be approved together to become law.
Lawmakers say the goal is simple: make ticket buying fair again so families and fans have a real chance to attend live events without competing against bots.
