Source: Andre Low on Facebook & Plan_B on Facebook
More than 4,000 home-supporter tickets for Singapore’s upcoming semi-final first leg against Thailand sold out shortly after being released.
However, some fans were left frustrated after resale listings appeared online at exorbitant prices.
In an Instagram post on Thursday (13 Aug), Workers’ Party Non-constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Andre Low questioned whether Singapore should finally reconsider regulating ticket resale, scalpers, and bots.
According to The Straits Times (ST), a pair of tickets costing around S$100 was listed for S$1,500, more than 15 times the original price.
Source: Andre Low on Instagram
“Scalping is parasitic. It creates nothing. It contributes nothing,” Mr Low said, arguing that it “exploits genuine supporters” and puts tickets beyond their reach.
Tickets for the upcoming match at Jalan Besar stadium were reportedly snapped up almost immediately after going on sale.
While it was not confirmed that bots were involved, he noted that “it would not be unusual for that to be the case”.
Mr Low also pointed to a parliamentary question he raised in May.
Back then, he asked whether the Government would reconsider its position that anti-scalping laws were unwarranted.
Source: Andre Low on Instagram
He also asked whether legislation could be introduced to target bots used to purchase tickets in bulk.
According to Mr Low, the Government said its policy does not prohibit ticket resale.
It also said anti-bot legislation could be difficult to enforce effectively, while pointing to existing measures such as scam protections, virtual waiting rooms and CAPTCHAs.
Instead of prohibiting all ticket resale, Mr Low proposed several possible measures.
Source: Andre Low on Instagram
These include taking action against attempts to evade purchase limits, capping resale prices, and giving resale platforms clearer legal responsibilities.
“Fans whose plans change should be able to recover what they paid,” Mr Low said.
He then ended his post by asking Singaporeans what rules they would support when it comes to ticket resale, scalping and bots.
A netizen suggested that tickets should be tagged to a name and an NRIC number.
Source: Instagram
A commenter agreed, saying that it can be achieved through purchasing with Singpass.
Source: Instagram
An Instagram user shared how Wimbledon has a “comprehensive set of rules in place to prevent scalping of balloted tickets”.
Source: Instagram
Another netizen also suggested following Japan’s lead and adopting the lottery system.
Source:
Football fans who were unable to secure tickets to the semi-final match at Jalan Besar can head down to the Kallang Wave Mall Atrium for a live public screening instead.
The live screening will commence at 9pm. Please note that seating is limited, and that seating arrangements may vary for each event.
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Featured image adapted from Andre Low on Facebook & Plan_B on Facebook.