Tickets for next year's Commonwealth Games that are illegally resold will be nothing more than "hot air" and people would be "mugs" to buy them, organisers have warned.
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) chairman Peter Beattie issued the warning on Monday amid reports some tickets were already being offered online for 10 times their original value.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reports one website is offering tickets to the badminton, boxing and hockey events for more than $600, while $80 swimming heat tickets had been offered at more than $1500.
Mr Beattie says GOLDOC is monitoring the activity and will cancel any tickets they know have been sold by scalpers.
Despite successful ticket applicants being told earlier this month which events they've secured seats at, Mr Beattie says the actual tickets won't be issued until January next year.
He says those who missed out, or are still hoping to buy tickets, should do so through official channels.
"My advice to anyone thinking of buying a ticket online, an illegal ticket, is don't do it because you're buying nothing. You're buying hot air," Mr Beattie told reporters in Brisbane.
"We will go to anyone online who has tried to fleece people, we'll ask them to take it down ... if you don't, we have the option to cancel your ticket.
"We're not going to have people ripped off.
"Anyone who's buying it would be a mug."
Mr Beattie says those who had successfully acquired tickets for next year's Games are allowed to resell them, but only within 10 per cent of their original value.
"We recommend you sell it to a loved one, or a friend. You can do it at the value you paid for it," he said.
"Go beyond 10 per cent, then you're breaking the law."
Remaining tickets for the Games will go on general public sale on July 5, with those who missed out in the original allocation being given priority access on July 3 and 4.
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