Cricket World Cup Bill 2024: $5M fine for ‘unauthorised ticket sales’

The proposed ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies Bill 2024 includes hefty fines for persons guilty of the unauthorised sale of tickets, commonly called ‘black market tickets.’

Section six states, “Cricket West Indies shall be responsible for the production and distribution of Cricket World Cup 2024 tickets.”

More so, “no person shall, without the written authorization of CWI, sell any Cricket World Cup 2024 ticket or any article that is represented to be such a ticket for admission to a CWC activity.”

According to the Bill, any person who contravenes the aforementioned is liable on a summary conviction to a five-million-dollar fine.

Tickets for 39 of the World Cup’s 55 matches, to be hosted in the West Indies, are available at prices starting from US$6 for selected matches.

Fans can choose from the following ticket categories: Premium, Standard Plus, Standard, Grounds and Mounds, and Party stand.

The box office at the Guyana Cricket Board office on Regent Street will be opened Monday to Friday from 10:30h to 18:00h and on Saturdays from 10:00h to 16:00h.

On Thursday, Gail Teixeira, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, tabled a motion for suspension of the standing orders as when they come to the bill, it can quickly progress all three stages of reading in the National Assembly as a matter of urgency.

Teixeira informed the house that the Bill is a collaborative draft among CARICOM host nations for the World Cup.

The Bill was later presented to the National Assembly by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. to be read for the first time.

The other CARICOM nations are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The United States of America will co-host the World Cup with venues in Dallas, Lauderhill, and New York, but this relates to relations between CARICOM nations.

Minister Teixeira reminded the house of the ‘Sunset Legislation’ passed for hosting the 2007 50-Over World Cup and the need for this Bill to be passed expeditiously for the smooth flow of preparation and effective event staging.

Furthermore, when enacted in fellow host nations in the Caribbean, it will create a common domestic space while the competition is going on, essentially ensuring hassle-free travel across the region.

The T20 World Cup runs from June 1 to 29, with Guyana hosting group matches from June 2 to 8 and semi-final two on June 27.

ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies Bill 2024: 23973-bill_no._4_of_2024