Using such bots was illegal before, but only brought civil, not criminal sanctions. However, a three-year investigation by NY attorney general Eric. T. Schneiderman found that the practice was so widespread that the state had to take harsher measures. Ticketing outlets and credit card companies revealed that bots scoop up the best seats in seconds, which scalpers then resell at prices many times over face value. Scalpers who exploit such software could now face criminal, class A misdemeanor charges.

It may not be the end of new laws targeting scalpers. Schneiderman also singled out "event insiders," including the artists, who in some cases reserve over half of the tickets for themselves. He also targeted the ticketing agencies that often tack on fees of over 20 percent, turning a reasonable $50 ticket into $60 --a dealbreaker for many folks.