New York is on the brink of outlawing the black market for restaurant reservations with the passage of the Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act. This groundbreaking bill, if signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, will make New York the first state to tackle third-party bots that secure and resell reservations at popular dining establishments.
The legislation targets the unauthorized practice of using bots to book reservations, which are then sold at inflated prices, often leaving genuine customers struggling to secure dining spots. This move is designed to protect both restaurants and diners from reservation fraud and ensure fair access to reservations.
The bill has garnered widespread support, including from legitimate restaurant reservation platforms. The CEO of Resy praised the bill, calling it “a significant step forward to protect restaurants and diners from reservation fraud.” Other industry stakeholders echo this sentiment, emphasizing the need to preserve the integrity of the dining experience in New York City.
With Governor Hochul’s signature, this act will set a precedent for other states to follow in regulating and curbing fraudulent reservation practices, aiming to restore fairness and transparency in the dining industry.
