The Senate Commerce Committee advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado on Mar. 16 that aims to protect restaurants and their patrons from the unauthorized sale of reservations by third-party services.
The issue has gained attention as third-party reservation marketplaces have allowed the resale of restaurant tables, often at inflated prices and without the consent of the establishments. This practice can result in last-minute cancellations, leaving restaurants with empty tables and lost revenue. The problem was highlighted during the 2025 Superbowl in New Orleans, where a reservation was sold for over $2,000 through a third-party service, prompting states like Illinois and New York to adopt similar measures.
“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 legislation (S-1193/S-1197) would prohibit third-party websites or mobile applications 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 key state issues according to his official website. Bucco serves as Senate Republican Leader and chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee while serving on other committees such as Budget and Appropriations according to his official website. He represents New Jersey’s 25th Legislative District according to his official website.
As New Jersey prepares for major upcoming events like the World Cup, lawmakers say this bill is intended to ensure local businesses benefit directly rather than losing out due to unauthorized reselling practices.
