The government has hinted that music and sporting events of national importance might be protected from ticket touts.

Tickets to so-called “crown jewels” events such as Wimbledon, Live 8 and the Rugby World Cup could not be resold by tickets touts or internet auction sites, if the proposals being considered by the DCMS go through.

However, the secondary ticket market will not be banned altogether – as is the case with Premier League and Olympics tickets – news that will come as a disappointment to the Concert Promoters Association.

Shaun Woodward, minister for culture, said at the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee meeting: “We continue to believe that self-regulation of the industry remains the best way forward. As a very last resort, we might have to consider regulation.”