Penalty Amount
$10,700,000
The FTC alleged that ticket broker Elite Events and Tickets LLC violated the Better Online Ticket Sales Act by using unlawful tactics to circumvent ticket purchase limits for over 2,400 events, reselling tickets at significant profit. The proposed order imposes $10.7 million in civil penalties (partially suspended to $300,000 due to inability to pay) and permanently bans the company and its executives from engaging in such circumvention.
Elite Events, Kevin McKerley, and Aaron Fera must pay $300,000 (with $10.7 million total penalty suspended based on financial condition) and are permanently prohibited from circumventing ticket purchase limits, using multiple accounts or IP proxies, or purchasing tickets in names other than their own.
In-house legal teams should review vendor agreements with ticket brokers, resellers, and third-party agents involved in ticket purchasing. Key clauses to examine include compliance with applicable laws (e.g., BOTS Act), prohibitions on circumventing security measures, restrictions on use of multiple accounts or proxies, and indemnification for violations. Also review data processing agreements for use of personal information (fictitious names, addresses) and ensure vendors have controls to prevent unauthorized ticket purchasing practices.
Entity
Elite Events and Tickets LLC
Industry
EntertainmentOfficial Press Release
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/07/ftc-takes-action-against-elite-events-bypassing-ticket-purchase-limits-violation-better-online
EliteEvents Complaint
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/EliteEvents-Complaint.pdf
EliteEvents StipulatedOrder
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/EliteEvents-StipulatedOrder.pdf
Federal Trade Commission Enforcement Page
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement
"Elite Events and Tickets LLC"
"more than $10.7 million in civil penalties"
"partially suspended after payment of $300,000"
"Better Online Ticket Sales Act"
"circumventing measures designed to limit the number of tickets that can be purchased to a single event"
"bypass ticket purchase limits"
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