What if I told you ticket bots aren’t unbeatable?
Ticket bots, or scalper bots, are automated software programs used to buy large volumes of tickets at high speed. They exploit advantages like speed, volume, and automation to bypass human users during ticket purchases. This creates unfair ticketing systems, as bots can grab tickets faster than genuine fans.
How Do Ticket Bots Work?
- Account creation bots: Create bulk fake accounts to bypass ticket limits.
- Expediting bots: Use speed to quickly secure tickets before others.
- Scraping bots: Monitor sites for available tickets and snap them up.
- Denial of inventory bots: Add tickets to fake carts, creating artificial scarcity to force resale.
- Cashing out bots: Use stolen credit card details to finalize purchases.
Bots account for a significant portion of ticket site traffic, with some events seeing 96% bot traffic, leaving minimal opportunities for genuine fans.
Are Ticket Bots Illegal?
Ticket bots are illegal in most Western countries, including the U.S. (under the BOTS Act), E.U., U.K., and parts of Canada and Australia. However, weak enforcement limits the effectiveness of these laws, and technological advancements often outpace legislation.
Challenges with Enforcement
- Limited penalties for offenders.
- Difficulty in pursuing bot operators based overseas.
- Secondary markets offer significant profits, incentivizing bot usage.
How to Beat Ticket Bots
Securing tickets for your favourite events can be stressful, but these strategies can help improve your chances:
Create an Account in Advance
Register on the ticketing site and save your details like payment methods and address to streamline the checkout process when tickets go live.
Join Presales
Gain early access to tickets by signing up for artist or event mailing lists, event organizer alerts, or promotions through credit card networks or service providers.
Stick to One Browser Window Per Device
Avoid multiple tabs on the same device, as this can confuse the system. Instead, use multiple devices if possible to improve your chances.
Download the Mobile App
Many ticketing platforms prioritize app users for smoother and faster transactions, potentially reducing queuing times.
Ensure a Reliable Internet Connection
Use a stable internet connection, such as Wi-Fi, to avoid disruptions that could force you to start over.
Explore Premium or Hospitality Options
Hospitality packages often include perks like guaranteed seats, early access, and additional benefits, which may have shorter queues.
Timing Is Critical
Log in early—10 minutes before ticket sales begin. Refresh the page just before sales open, but do not refresh while in the queue to avoid losing your place.
While ticket bots may seem invincible, they’re far from unbeatable. By understanding their tactics and using proactive strategies, fans can improve their chances of securing tickets.
Creating accounts in advance, leveraging presales, and optimizing your approach with reliable connections and multiple devices can level the playing field.
Governments and ticketing platforms are gradually enhancing enforcement and technological defences to curb bot activity, but collective action from fans, organizers, and regulators is essential to restore fairness. With persistence and preparation, real fans can reclaim their place in the queue and enjoy the events they love without having to turn to scalpers.