Addressing the “Ghost” in the Machine: Speculative Ticketing and the Evolution of Illinois Consumer Protection Law
By Jennifer L. Gordon
Intellectual Property,
June 2026
The secondary ticket market is undergoing a period of intense regulatory scrutiny as Illinois lawmakers grapple with "speculative ticketing"—colloquially known as "ghost ticketing." This practice involves resellers listing tickets for sale that they do not currently possess, effectively "shorting" the ticket market. While federal oversight exists, a significant regulatory gap has emerged, prompting the Illinois General Assembly to pursue state-specific legislative remedies in 2026.
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