The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has officially banned Leighton Bennett for eight years after he was found guilty of match fixing.

The investigation into the 18-year-old followed reports from The International Betting Integrity Association surrounding suspicious betting on four matches involving Bennett in the Modus Super Series last year.

Bennett was found guilty of 10 charges for fixing the four matches, providing inside information on the matches, failing to assist an investigation and for signing a contract with an unregistered agent.

The DRA revealed: “For proven breaches of DRA rules relating to eight allegations in connection with the fixing of the results of four matches, one related to failing to assist an investigation, and one for signing a contract with an unregistered agent, Bennett is suspended from playing in or being involved in any way in any DRA regulated events for a total period of eight years.”

He has also been ordered to pay £8,100.23 in costs, with the suspension to end on 11 August 2032.

Also banned following an investigation is Billy Warriner, who 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. He received an even longer ban of 10 years.

It was in July of this year that the DRA first said the pair ‘have a case to answer’ for several serious betting-related breaches, both getting suspended whilst the investigation went underway.

The authority emphasised that Bennett and Warriner have until 14 December 2024 to appeal the decisions of the Disciplinary Committee.

“The DRA in its case makes it clear that no other players were involved in the match fixing,” it concluded.

Source