New proposal seeks to regulate ticket scalping ahead of Super Bowl

The city of Indianapolis is looking to regulate ticket scalping ahead of the upcoming Super Bowl. The city county council will soon consider a proposal that would require a special license if you want to sell tickets for more than face value outside of any venue where a special event is taking place.

Anyone attending a game, concert or other special event in Indianapolis, is used to seeing ticket scalpers outside. If the new special events ordinance becomes reality those scalpers won't necessarily disappear, but fans will be able to look for a broker license around their neck in addition to signs advertsing tickets for sale.

"They have an ID with their name and number so if there is a problem, you can go back and contact police or the department of code enforcement and we'll be able to follow up on that end," said Adam Collins, a license administrator for Indianapolis.

Collins and others in the Office of Code Enforcement believe the licenses will add accountability and cut down on scammers and counterfeiters.

"That's a good thing. Get licensed," said one scalper who goes by the name 'Slick'.

Scalper's who spoke to Fox59 News outside a Fever basketball game said they welcome the license plan. Many already pay for a similar license in Speedway for the Indy 500. They said the $57 yearly cost for a license downtown would be worth it.

"I don't mind paying the extra fee," said 'Slick'. "To keep the riff raff out, I would pay the extra fee."

Several sports fans told Fox59 they would also like to see the licenses.

"I think it's a very good thing," said Jonathan Snell, a sports fan. "They should be treated like any other business and have a business license and be audited for what they're out here doing."

One group who might not welcome the change is season ticket holders looking to make a few bucks selling their own tickets outside a big game.

"Within the identified area they'll have to do one of two things, either sell the ticket at face value or below, or sell it to a licensed broker," Collins said.

Collins said any increased inconcenience should be offset by fans knowing they will be getting what they pay for.

"Based upon the reasonable confidence that people can have that the tickets are now legitimate, I think it's a valuable tradeoff," Collins said.

The City County Council Rule and PUblic Policy Committee will consider the proposal Wednesday night. If it passes, it will go before the full council next week. That mean's it would be in place before the first Colts home game.