Postseason ticket-scalping crackdown expands from online to stadiums; checks at all games from the 14th

[Financial News] Crackdowns on ticket scalping—the resale of postseason baseball tickets at a markup—are expanding from online platforms to on-site enforcement at stadiums. The venues and surrounding areas for every game of the professional baseball postseason will be subject to enforcement.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on the 13th that, starting on the 14th, it will launch an intensive postseason ticket-scalping crackdown with the National Police Agency, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), club teams and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation. The measure aims to curb illicit resale during periods of high ticket demand and protect fans' opportunities to attend games.
Checks will focus on times when crowds gather before games begin. Officials will look for suspicious activity at ticket offices, main entrances and nearby gathering spots, such as soliciting buyers or selling tickets in large quantities. The timing and staffing of enforcement will be adjusted to each game's schedule and on-site conditions.
The relevant agencies will share information about suspected transactions and reports, and pass cases identified on site to police, helping them secure evidence to verify the circumstances of the transactions. The results of enforcement at each game will inform the inspection areas and response methods for the next game.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been responding to sports ticket scalping by designating the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation as a reporting agency since August 28, when the amended National Sports Promotion Act took effect.
As of the 7th, a total of 90,000 reports of illicit sales in the sports sector had been received. Of the roughly 47,000 reports after duplicates were excluded, access to around 40,000 suspected posts was restricted. On the 6th, the ministry asked police to investigate 121 people suspected of selling tickets at high prices or in large quantities, among other practices.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's guidance on the amended law, regardless of whether automated bots are used, repeatedly or for commercial purposes selling or brokering tickets for more than the price paid for them, without the original seller's consent, constitutes illicit resale. Those who engage in illicit resale may be subject to a surcharge of up to 50 times the sale amount.
On major game days, promotional booths will be set up outside stadiums to explain how to report suspected scalping and what sanctions apply. Stadium scoreboards and KBO and club teams' social media accounts will also encourage people to file reports.
Suspected ticket scalping can be reported through the “Integrated Reporting Website for Sports and Concert Ticket Scalping,” and rewards are paid in accordance with the requirements and procedures set out by law.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young stressed that “the opportunity for fans who have been looking forward to postseason baseball to attend games must not end up as an unfair profit for ticket scalpers,” and urged fans to report suspected scalping actively.
[email protected] Jang In-seo Reporter