Maine Sets National Standard with Bold Ticketing Law

Maine has enacted a sweeping new ticketing law aimed at protecting consumers from deceptive practices, excessive fees, and price gouging in the live event marketplace.

The law, officially known as S.P. 403/L.D. 913 or Maine Public Law Chapter 354, was signed by Maine Governor Janet Mills and will take effect in 90 days. It is already being hailed at the toughest ticketing reform law in the United States—with several industry bodies praising the reform.

The legislation introduces a strict 10% cap on ticket resale prices above face value, directly targeting the rampant inflation of ticket prices on secondary markets. This cap is designed to prevent scalpers and automated bots from driving up prices and shuttering out ordinary fans. The law also bans speculative ticketing, making it illegal to sell tickets that the seller does not yet own or that have not yet gone on sale. This practice has contributed to mass confusion in fraud in the industry.

Ticket sellers, both primary and secondary, must now disclose all mandatory fees upfront and display the total price more prominently than any other pricing information. This requirement is intended to eliminate the ‘junk fee’ surprises that have frustrated customers for years. Sellers are also required to provide a detailed breakdown of all fees and to specify the seat or number or section at the time of purchase—empowering buyers to make informed choices.

The law also mandates refunds for counterfeit tickets, undelivered tickets, or tickets that are materially misrepresented. It also prohibits the use of bots to circumvent ticket purchase limits and bans deceptive websites or branding that mislead buyers into thinking they are purchasing from official sources. Violations will be treated as unfair trade practices under state law, enforced by the Maine Attorney General with penalties of up to $10,000 per infraction.

Supporters of the law—including independent venues and advocacy groups like NIVA and Fix the Tix—argue this law rebalances the live event ecosystem. It puts power back into the hands of consumers, artists, and venues. Critics from secondary marketplaces like StubHub, warn that the price cap could drive fans to unregulated markets and potentially reward dominant players like Live Nation/Ticketmaster.

“By creating this law, Maine’s state elected leaders have shown the rest of the country what’s possible,” adds Stephen Parker, Executive Director of NIVA and Co-Chair of the Fix the Tix Coalition. “This legislation doesn’t just protect fans—it rebalances the live event ecosystem to put power back in the hands of consumers, artists, and venues. By banning fake tickets, capping resale at a fair 10% above face value, and ensuring clear accountability for deceptive practices, Maine has created a blueprint for ticketing reform that other states and Congress should now follow.”