LCSD gets smart in cracking down on bookings by touts

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) on Thursday announced a new measure designed to combat touting through the unauthorised transfer of bookings for leisure and sports facilities. Starting July 7, SmartPLAY users who log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app via iAM Smart will receive priority access to book facilities available within seven days, with their booking window opening at 7am each day. Users who choose not to use iAM Smart will still be able to make bookings through the mobile app, the official SmartPLAY website, smart self-service stations or service counters at leisure venues – but not until 7.15am each day. The 15-minute window between 7am and 7.15am is described by the LCSD as the peak booking interval for ordinary users but also the period most active for touters, who often use computer programmes or automated tools to secure bookings. By restricting access during that window to users authenticated through iAM Smart, the department hopes to more effectively prevent such activities. The new measure leverages the authentication function of iAM Smart to strengthen the identity verification process for facility hirers. To implement the new measure, the LCSD said it would temporarily suspend services for the My SmartPLAY mobile app and the official SmartPLAY website from 10.30am to 1.30pm on June 22 to conduct a system upgrade. Edited by Tony Sabine