Overview

• Italy's antitrust authority (AGCM) issued nearly €20 million in fines to CoopCulture and six tour operators for unfair ticketing practices at the Roman Colosseum.
• CoopCulture, the former official ticket manager, was fined €7 million for failing to prevent bots from hoarding tickets and prioritizing its own guided tour packages.
• Six operators, including Tiqets International BV and GetYourGuide Deutschland GmbH, used bots to buy tickets in bulk, making standard-priced tickets unavailable to consumers.
• These operators resold tickets bundled with additional services like guided tours and priority access, often at significantly higher prices.
• The investigation, launched in July 2023 after consumer complaints, highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring fair access to cultural landmarks like the Colosseum, which received over 12.3 million visitors in 2023.