Bill
HB 2782
Illinois bans bot use to buy more tickets than allowed, requiring reporting and enabling penalties for violations.
Status snapshot
- Jurisdiction: Illinois (introduced in the 104th General Assembly).
- Prime sponsor: Rep. Hoan Huynh. Introduced/Filed early February 2025 (filed 2/5/2025; first reading 2/6/2025). Referred to Rules Committee and later assigned to Judiciary — Civil; procedural activity continued through March 2025 (pending committee action / Rule 19 activity).
Note: The number "HB 2782" also appears as an unrelated Arizona bill in the materials you provided (an Arizona bill that would create a “Health Care Claims Consumer Assistance Program”). This summary focuses on the Illinois bill titled the Prohibition on Automated Online Ticket Purchasing Act (automated ticket purchase ban).
Purpose and intent
- To prohibit the use or creation of automated software ("bots") designed to impersonate or replicate human online activity for the purpose of acquiring event tickets in ways that evade posted purchase limits or sales controls. The bill aims to improve consumer access to tickets and reduce unfair bulk purchases by automated systems.
Key definitions
- "Bot": automated software that performs repetitive online tasks to impersonate or replicate human activity. Explicitly excludes built-in browser autofill or password-management features.
- "Event": public concerts, sporting events, shows, exhibitions, etc., held at a venue with paid admission.
- "Ticket": physical or electronic evidence of the right to admission.
Major prohibitions (what the bill forbids)
- Using or creating a bot to:
- Purchase tickets in excess of posted limits for an online ticket sale.
- Use multiple IP addresses, purchaser accounts, or e‑mail addresses to bypass posted limits and purchase excess tickets.
- Circumvent or disable electronic sales controls (e.g., queues, waiting periods, presale codes, or other sales-volume limitation systems).
Reporting requirement for venues/agents
- An owner/operator of a place of entertainment, or any agent facilitating ticket sales, must report to the Illinois Attorney General any incident (of which they have actual knowledge) involving bot-based purchases that violate the ban. Report must be made within a “reasonable” period and no later than 30 days after discovery.
Enforcement and remedies
- Attorney General (AG) enforcement powers:
- May investigate alleged violations.
- May seek injunctive relief to stop ongoing violations.
- May bring an action for civil penalties and restitution.
- Civil penalties:
- Up to $10,000 per knowing violation of the prohibition.
- Each unlawful ticket transaction counts as a separate violation.
- Penalty for violating a court order/enforcement injunction may be up to $100,000.
- AG may recover reasonable costs, including court costs, attorney fees, and investigative costs.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Consumer benefits: could reduce bot-driven bulk buying, improving equitable access to tickets for ordinary buyers.
- Industry compliance: ticketing platforms, venues, and resellers may need to invest in detection/blocking tools, monitoring, and reporting processes; contracts with third‑party sellers and brokers may be affected.
- Enforcement burden: relies on AG investigation and venue reporting; effectiveness depends on detection capabilities and resources for enforcement.
- Litigation risk: creates a civil penalty regime and gives the AG broad enforcement authority; will likely generate litigation over what constitutes a “bot” or a “knowing” violation and over technical circumvention methods.
If you want, I can:
- Draft a one-page explainer for venue operators listing compliance steps.
- Produce suggested amendments to clarify terms (e.g., “bot,” “reasonable period,” scienter requirements).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
