The New Jersey Senate approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado on Mar. 23 that aims to protect restaurants and customers from the unauthorized resale of reservations by third-party services.
This measure comes as third-party reservation marketplaces have become more common, allowing reservations to be sold without a restaurant’s consent. These tables are often resold at higher prices, and if not purchased, may result in last-minute cancellations that leave restaurants with empty seats and lost revenue. During the 2025 Superbowl in New Orleans, a third-party service sold a reservation for over $2,000, which prompted other states such as Illinois and New York to consider similar laws.
“We’ve seen reservation scalping during major sporting events around the country and as New Jersey prepares to host the World Cup, we’re taking action to prevent that from occurring here in the Garden State,” said Senator Corrado. “Third-party reservation brokers have sold tables that they do not own for outrageous prices, often without the knowledge of a restaurant or small business. This bill protects patrons from price-gouging and ensures that the benefit of major events goes to our local businesses, not opportunistic middlemen.”
The proposed law would prohibit third-party websites or mobile apps from advertising or selling restaurant reservations unless they have a written agreement with the restaurant. It also establishes civil penalties for violations.
Senator Anthony M. Bucco is involved in legislative work including sponsoring bills and participating in committee discussions on state issues according to the official website. Bucco serves as Senate Republican Leader and chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee while also serving on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee according to his official profile. He represents constituents through district office services and email communications for legislative inquiries as reported by his office.
As similar measures are adopted elsewhere following high-profile incidents of scalping during major events, supporters say this legislation will help ensure local businesses benefit directly when demand spikes due to special occasions.