Russian ministry of culture (MinCult) develops draft law in order to eliminate so called “ticket mafia” in Russia. If a play or show is very interesting for public, the tickets can be sold very quickly, especially if the selling price established by a theatre is not so high and many people with average income can buy it. But it is not so simple with available tickets.
If the play or show is very interesting and there are many people wishing to buy a ticket, some persons can buy out most part of available tickets at the price of a theatre and sell it at the new price, which can be much higher than the initial price. Russian minister of culture is disappointed by the fact, that speculators cause the deficit of tickets and as a consequence increasing of their price.
“Currently, organised groups of speculators became an insuperable barrier for people, who are not so rich but have a wish to visit famous theatre, live performance of cult band or exhibition of famous artist,” – said Medinsky. According to his words, MinCult has intention to put everything in order. He has reminded that in Soviet period a profiteering of scarce tickets helped to some very rich people to “make an initial fortune”.
“Great interest in museums and museum boom have caused the situation when tickets were sold at the speculative prices even at Moscow exhibitions. From one side it means we have done a good work, but from the other side we have to endeavour to help to people to visit cultural institutions,” – explained Medinsky.
MinCult has ideas how to fix it. There is a draft law. Its provisions prohibit handing over all bought tickets to ticket office without solid reasons. “The websites of tickets resellers are restricted. It is prohibited to sell ticket at the price, which is higher than the nominal price. The list of reasons, allowing to hand over bought tickets, will be reduced,” – mentioned Medinsky some of the proposed measures.