Ohio bill would cap ‘junk fees' on tickets for concerts, sporting events

Yahoo

21-05-2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – When purchasing a ticket for a concert or sporting event, customers may notice a plethora of fees added onto the original price.
An Ohio bill introduced last week is hoping to lower those extra costs for residents. Senate Bill 196, sponsored by Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus), would prohibit ticket sellers from charging more than a total of $5 in extra fees for a purchase containing one or more tickets.
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'We need to do something to help regular everyday families in Ohio that want to do something fun, whether a concert, whether it's a sporting event, and it's not fair that they are overburdened with these fees,' DeMora said. 'Budgets are tight now, people are struggling to make ends meet, but they ought to be able to have some fun in their lives.'
The bill deems violating this rule an unfair and deceptive business practice under Ohio law. Violators would be referred to the state attorney general for enforcement, who could take legal action by ordering the company to amend its fees or seeking restitution for consumers, among other options.
Service fees average about 27% to 31% of total ticket prices, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office. The added costs, which DeMora calls 'junk fees,' have been a longstanding frustration among consumers.
'The fees are outrageous,' DeMora said. 'I mean, if the face value of tickets is $100, you pay $150.'
Last year, the United States Department of Justice, along with 30 state and district attorneys general, including Ohio's, filed a civil lawsuit against Ticketmaster's parent company Live Nation Entertainment. The ongoing suit alleges the company holds a monopoly on the ticket market, resulting in fans paying more in fees.
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This month, the Federal Trade Commission began enforcing a new rule that requires ticket-sellers to disclose any extra fees upfront, instead of springing them on customers during checkout. Companies also must now avoid 'vague phrases' such as convenience fees, service fees or processing fees and clearly state the purpose of the charges.
The new guidelines, however, do not put a price limit on or ban extra fees. DeMora called the new FTC rule a 'good step in the right direction' but said the fees are still too high and need to be addressed.
Ticket fees for entertainment events may go to the ticket-seller, venue or event promoter for various costs associated with running the event, as well as maintaining the facility or services offered by the ticket company.
NBC4 reached out to Ticketmaster and other entertainment companies for comment on the bill. The only reply came from SeatGeek, which stated that while the company appreciates and respects DeMora's efforts to make live events more affordable, caps on fees can 'distort the market' and have 'unintended consequences.'
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'We believe the best way to protect and empower consumers is through transparent pricing, not caps,' Joe Freeman, vice president of government affairs, said. 'That's why we fully support the FTC's new rule, which took effect last week, requiring ticketing platforms to show the full, all-in price upfront.'
SB 196 has been referred to the Government Oversight and Reform Committee, where it awaits its first hearing. Two Democrat state senators, Hearcel Craig (Columbus) and Casey Weinstein (Hudson), are cosponsoring the bill.
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