The Scottish Government could consider new legislation to crack down on ticket touts following next year's Euro 2020 football tournament, MSPs have been told.
Europe Minister Ben Macpherson hinted at the prospect, saying the SNP administration could consider the matter after the event.
He spoke out as he was questioned by MSPs on Holyrood's Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee about a new Bill that aims to tackle ticket touting at the sporting tournament - for which Glasgow is one of 12 host cities.
The UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill will, if passed, make it a crime to sell on tickets for profit, either in person, via secondary resale sites, or privately.
Under the proposals offenders could be fined up to £5,000.
Committee convener Joan McAlpine pressed the minister on why legislation was only being put before MSPs now, noting that both UEFA and the Scottish Football Association had noted this could have been needed as far back as 2014.
Macpherson said ministers "being conscious of the pressures of parliamentary time" had wanted to "explore all possible angles and avenues" to see if existing laws could be used.
But he added: "It became clear in April that primary legislation was going to be the most effective and robust way to protect rights and protect people from ticket touting.
"And at that point, once that crystalised position was clear, the Scottish Government moved swiftly to bring forward this primary legislation."
McAlpine noted: "In terms of the ticket touting offence in particular, it does seem there is a gap in Scots law that we don't seem to be able to cover ticket touting."
And she said it "doesn't seem practical that we should have to have special pieces of legislation every time a major international event comes".
She pressed Macpherson on whether more action was needed.
The minister told her that the existing legislation currently used to deal with ticket touting - Section 55 of the Civic Government Scotland 1982 - did not cover online sales.
He added: "In due course, once the tournament has passed, we will of course examine the success of this legislation.
"I think that would give a good basis for consideration around the issues of ticket touting and whether, going forward, there would be merit in considering a potential framework Bill on these issues, but I think at the moment we need to get this legislation right and see it work in practice and consider the matters thereafter."
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