Long Bans Imposed
Two British darts players, Leighton Bennett and Bailly Warriner, were banned by the Dart Regulation Agency (DRA) after being found guilty of match-fixing.
The two players admitted their guilt.
Both players were given significant bans, as well as being issued fines. Leighton Bennett received an eight-year ban, while Billy Warriner was given a longer ban of 10 years. Both players were fined £8,100.
The investigation by the DRA was into alleged match-fixing that occurred in matches in September 2023’s Modus Super Series. Suspicious betting patterns alerted the authority to Bennett’s matches with Mindaugas Barauskas and Benjamin Drue-Reus on September 6th and his matches with Ryan Harrington and Barauskas again two days later.
Warriner, while not involved in Bennett’s matches, was said to be involved in the match-fixing elements and was linked to other charges related to betting breaches and match-fixing. Bennett was found guilty of ten charges, while Warriner was found guilty of 19 of the 21 charges that the authority brought against him.
Uncertain Futures
These rulings will have a big impact on the future careers of both players. Leighton Bennett was once hailed as a darts prodigy, grabbing headlines after he defeated darts legend Phil Taylor when he was just 13. However, he will now not be able to compete professionally again until he is 26, taking years off his career.
Billy Warriner is 23 and will not be able to play again until he is 33. The future of both darts players will now be hugely uncertain. The sport of darts will hope to shift the headlines quickly, with the World Championship currently taking place.
