Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has joined the Federal Trade Commission and other states in filing a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment, alleging deceptive and unlawful ticket sales practices.
The lawsuit accuses Ticketmaster of misleading consumers with “bait and switch” pricing by advertising lower ticket prices before adding mandatory fees that can increase costs by more than 30 percent. It also claims the company allows brokers to exceed ticket purchase limits and turn to bots to buy tickets in bulk, reselling them at inflated prices.
“These practices deprive ordinary fans of access to lower-priced tickets,” the Attorney General’s Office said in its announcement.
Hilgers said the case is about protecting both performers and fans.
“We are proud to join the Federal Trade Commission and our sister states in protecting performers and fans from unlawful practices that drive up ticket prices,” he said. “Consumers deserve access to fair ticket prices from the largest ticket company in America.”
The lawsuit seeks to stop the practices, impose penalties under state law, and secure monetary relief.