Today, Governor Jay Inslee signed Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s proposal to ban “ticket bot” software into law.

Ticket bots are computer programs deployed by scalpers to buy large quantities of tickets online to popular concerts and sporting events. Bots are often used to target the most desirable seats.

The legislation bans ticket bot use and makes it a violation of the state Consumer Protection Act to sell software to circumvent, interfere with or evade any security measure or access-control system on a ticket seller’s website.

“Consumers deserve a fair deal, and today we’re taking an important step toward ensuring that they get it,” Ferguson said. “Outlawing ticket bots will keep more of fans’ hard-earned money in their pockets, instead of fattening the wallets of scalpers trying to game the system.”