Yes, ticket scalping is legal in Puerto Rico under specific regulatory conditions, but violators face fines up to $5,000 under the Puerto Rico Consumer Protection Act (Law No. 75-2000). The Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions (OCIF) oversees enforcement, with recent 2026 amendments tightening penalties for fraudulent resale practices near high-demand events.
Key Regulations for Scalping Tickets in Puerto Rico
- Price Caps & Disclosure: Resale prices cannot exceed 150% of the original ticket value unless the event organizer permits higher rates. Sellers must disclose the original price and seat location upfront.
- Prohibited Locations: Scalping within 500 feet of event venues or on public transit is banned. Violators risk immediate confiscation of tickets by municipal police or OCIF agents.
- Licensing Requirement: Commercial resellers must obtain a Special Event Resale License from OCIF, valid for 30 days per event. Unlicensed sellers face misdemeanor charges under Article 15 of the Commerce Code.
OCIF’s 2026 updates mandate digital verification for licensed resellers, requiring real-time transaction logging via the Puerto Rico Ticket Resale Registry. Failure to comply results in license revocation and civil liability for damages.