Darts Players Banned for Match-Fixing and Related Offenses

Leighton Bennett holds the record as the youngest BDO youth champion in history. The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has issued an eight-year ban to Leighton Bennett and a 10-year ban to Billy Warriner, following charges that included match-fixing. This disciplinary action comes after the DRA carried out an investigation, which was initiated when the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) flagged suspicious betting activity concerning four matches involving Bennett during the 2023 Modus Super Series. The DRA concluded that “both players had a case to answer for serious breaches” of its regulations. After their suspension in August, Bennett and Warriner were subsequently found guilty at a hearing held in November. A statement from the DRA detailed that “Bennett was found guilty of 10 charges for fixing the four matches, provided inside information on the matches, of failing to assist an investigation and for signing a contract with an unregistered agent.” The DRA statement further indicated that “Warriner admitted 19 of 21 charges for being concerned in fixing the four matches, providing inside information and organising betting on the matches, four counts of failing to assist the investigation, two counts of acting as an unregistered agent and betting on darts. In addition, he pleaded guilty to an unrelated incident at a darts event where he was abusive to an official and threatened his opponent.” Both Bennett and Warriner, who were also mandated to pay £8,100 each in costs, have a deadline of 14 December to lodge an appeal. Bennett achieved the title of youngest ever BDO youth champion in 2019, securing the competition victory at the age of 13. In the same year, he defeated darts legend Phil Taylor. Earlier this year, he secured a card on the professional PDC Tour and publicly stated his intention to compete with World Championship runner-up Luke Littler.