Las Vegas Weekly

February 23, 2010 · 11:55 AM

Anti-scalping effort for Garth Brooks concerts results in six arrests

By Robin Leach

Garth Brooks performs at Encore Theater in the Wynn on Dec. 12, 2009.

Photo: Henry Diltz

The crackdown by country superstar Garth Brooks and hotel tycoon Steve Wynn against ticket scalpers has intensified, and now six suspects have been arrested by our Metro Police Department and will be prosecuted for two felonies and violating Clark County ordinances for ticket scalping.

Garth and Steve have implemented additional policies and procedures to ensure that his $125 seats are not resold for more than face value. As tickets are released this Saturday for the next series of his shows at Encore Theater in the Wynn, fans are being discouraged from purchasing tickets through unauthorized channels. Steve and Garth assure that any such scalped tickets will be canceled, as the practice is illegal on the Las Vegas Strip.

Saturday’s new ticket release covers Garth’s concerts March 26 to 28, April 9 to 11, June 25 to 27, July 16 to 18 and Aug. 6 to 8. Tickets for his first round of 20 shows sold out the same day they went on sale last October. We interviewed Garth back in December, and reviews for his debut performance during December’s National Finals Rodeo were unanimously positive.

The following booking procedures have been implemented as of Saturday for Garth’s next set of concerts: At time of purchase, the full name of each person attending the concert must be provided in order to complete the transaction. No changes will be permitted after completion of the order. Limit of four concert tickets per order or per person or per credit card. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the Wynn the day of the concert.

Tickets are not available in advance. Purchaser will be required to show valid, government-issued photo ID, confirmation number and the credit card used for payment. Each individual ticket holder must be present with purchaser to collect tickets upon presentation of valid, government-issued photo ID. Individual names will be printed on each ticket, wristbands will be provided at time of pick-up, and IDs may be checked again at the theater entrance.

Wynn’s PR Department said the property’s security continues to collaborate with Metro Police and local authorities and said that tickets have been confiscated from disappointed fans. They cite one instance where scalpers lured customers into purchasing seats through unauthorized Web sites, with promises to deliver the tickets in Las Vegas.

“This significant ring of illegal scalpers is now being prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Six suspects were arrested by Metro Police on Feb. 13, 2010, and will be prosecuted for the following NRS violations: obtaining money under false pretenses, burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime -- all felonies. They were also charged with violating the Clark County Ordinance for Ticket Scalping, a misdemeanor,” the Wynn official said.

The agreement with Garth includes multiple concert engagements over a five-year period. Additional concert dates will be released every few months. Fans also have an opportunity to obtain tickets for sold-out concerts on performance dates, as confiscated tickets will be sold to the stand-by line at the Wynn box office. Ticket buyers should never pay more than the $125 ticket, plus the $13 tax and $5 service charge, for a total of $143.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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