Teenage darts prodigy one of two players hit with massive bans for match-fixing

Imago

Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner have been hit with lengthy bans from playing professional darts after being found guilty of match-fixing.

The UK’s darts regulation authority have banned Bennett for eight years, while Warriner won’t be allowed to compete again for 10 years.

The duo have also got to pay £8,100 each in costs.

This ruling from the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) follows a report released in September 2023 by the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) about suspicious betting activity.

Bennett, 18, was crowned 2019 BDO World Youth Darts champion at the age of just 13 and in 2020 became the youngest player ever to compete in the men’s BDO World Darts Championship.

The youngster won a card on the professional PDC Tour this year and had claimed he intended to rival fellow teenage sensation Luke Littler, who at just 17 won the Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts titles this year.

Warriner, 23, is less high profile but faces an even lengthier ban following the investigation into matches that were part of the Modus Super Series in September 2023.

The DRA announced via a statement: "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.

"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."

Bennett and Warriner have until December 14 to appeal.