Understanding California Business and Professions Code Section 22505.5
California Business and Professions Code Section 22505.5 is the state's primary weapon against predatory ticketing practices. This statute makes it strictly illegal for any individual to intentionally utilize, cause to be utilized, or sell software and services designed to cheat the online ticketing ecosystem. By targeting the digital tools that scalpers use, the law attempts to level the playing field for everyday consumers trying to secure admission to high-demand events.
Sources & References
The information on this page was was sourced from:
Division 8, Chapter 21, California Business and Professions Code (BPC): The primary statutory framework regulating ticket sellers and live event consumer protections within the state.
Assembly Bill 1349 (2025-2026 Regular Session): Legislative updates enacted to modernize the Business and Professions Code regarding ticket resale marketplaces, refund mandates for canceled or postponed events, and the prohibition of ticket scalping software.
Bypassing Digital Queues and Security:
One of the core provisions of this law focuses on the digital waiting rooms that govern modern ticket sales. It is unlawful to disable or circumvent an electronic queue, a presale code, a waiting period, or any other system intended to limit sales volume during an online event drop. Furthermore, bad actors are prohibited from bypassing or disabling access control systems and security measures that facilitate authorized entry into a venue.
Limits on Bulk Purchasing and Digital Masking:
Scalpers frequently employ deceptive tactics to hoard inventory. To combat this, the legislation explicitly outlaws purchasing tickets in numbers that exceed the posted limits for an online event sale. The code goes a step further by outlining the specific methods used to cheat these limits, making it illegal to deploy multiple Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, operate multiple purchaser accounts, or use numerous email addresses to acquire more tickets than the posted cap allows.
Violating Venue Terms and Conditions:
Beyond banning specific software and IP tricks, the law also empowers the people hosting the event. It is legally prohibited to purchase tickets in a manner that violates the posted terms and conditions established by the venue operator or the event presenter. This ensures that the house rules regarding ticket acquisitions carry the weight of state law.