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Committee hears bill to bar third‑party reservation scalping at Nevada restaurants and public sites
Summary
A hearing on SB169 focused on banning unauthorized third‑party platforms from hoarding and reselling reservations for restaurants and certain public appointments. Supporters described large resale markets and urged protections for businesses and consumers; the DMV testified neutral.
The Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor heard testimony on Senate Bill 169, a proposal to prohibit third‑party reservation platforms from engaging in certain reservation‑resale practices that businesses say mislead consumers and deny restaurants control of bookings.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Fabian Dagnate, said the measure was prompted by complaints from businesses in his Las Vegas district including the Golden Steer, which officials say has been targeted by resale platforms. “This bill…is designed to protect Nevada businesses and consumers from the fast growing and deeply exploited practice reservation scalping,” Dagnate said.
Peter Saba, senior government affairs manager for the Nevada Restaurant Association, told the committee that unauthorized platforms and automated “bots” are hoarding in‑demand reservations and reselling them for hundreds or thousands of dollars. “Customers believe they’re booking directly, but instead they’re being charged for something that was supposed to be free,” Saba said. He cited a screenshot showing more than $19,000 in reservation purchases in 24 hours on a major resale platform and said some restaurants were repeatedly listed for resale at high prices, citing an example where a single Golden Steer reservation was offered for $730.
Saba said the practice leaves restaurants with empty tables when scalped reservations produce no‑shows and prevents restaurants from contacting actual guests. He characterized the practice as deceptive, arguing that platforms that monetize reservations without a restaurant’s permission should require consent to profit from another business’s booking system.
Business groups told the committee they support SB169. Trevor Parrish of the Las Vegas Chamber said the Chamber “is in support of SB169 as third‑party reservation scalping has a severe negative impact on a restaurant’s ability to operate and to their branding.” Chelsea Capuro of MGM Resorts also testified in support.
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, represented by Sean Severe, testified neutral. Severe noted the same resale model has targeted public appointments and urged residents to renew licenses online rather than wait for in‑person slots; he did not recommend changes to DMV operations in this hearing.
Committee members asked for clarifications distinguishing bona fide reservation platforms that operate with a restaurant’s consent from resale marketplaces that operate without it. The sponsor and witnesses repeatedly said the bill is intended to target unauthorized, for‑profit resale of reservations and not reservation systems used by restaurants with consent.
The hearing was informational; no committee vote on SB169 occurred during the session. The committee closed the hearing and moved to other agenda items.
