Italy Uncovers €30 Million Tax Evasion in Online Ticket Touting Scheme
Details of the Online Ticket Touting Investigation
Background of the Scheme
June 4 (Reuters) - Italy's financial police said on Thursday they had uncovered an online ticket touting scheme in which an Italo-Swiss couple allegedly evaded millions of euros in taxes by reselling tickets for concerts and soccer matches.
Tax Evasion and Legal Actions
Revenue and VAT Evasion
The couple failed to declare €30 million ($35 million) in revenue over the last five years and evaded about €6.5 million in value added tax (VAT), the Guardia di Finanza police said, adding they had been reported to prosecutors for tax offences.
Company Structure and Tax Jurisdiction
Based in Sardinia, the pair used a Swiss-registered company to resell tickets for events in Italy. Authorities said the company should have paid taxes in Italy but did not.
Legal Framework and Enforcement Challenges
Italian Law on Ticket Resale
Under Italian law, the commercial resale of tickets for entertainment and sporting events is largely banned unless conducted through authorised channels. Private individuals can resell tickets only on a non-commercial basis, typically at or below face value.
Growth of Online Touting and International Response
Use of Automated Bots
The growth of online ticket touting has made enforcement harder, with professional resellers using automated bots to buy tickets within seconds and resell them at higher prices. The practice prompted the British government to announce a ban on for-profit ticket resale in late 2025.
Currency Conversion
($1 = 0.8612 euros)
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Mirko Miorelli. Editing by Alvise Armellini and Mark Potter)
