Leighton Bennett, former winner of the BDO World Youth Championship and a darts prodigy dubbed to be “The Next Phil Taylor” has received an 8-year ban from darts after being found guilty of match fixing by the DRA.
Leighton Bennett has been found guilty by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) of match fixing. He’s received an 8-year ban as well as an £8,100 fine and will have until the 14th of December to appeal the decision.
Bennett, who was once dubbed “The Next Phil Taylor” after beating him in an exhibition match aged just 13 before going on to win the BDO World Youth Championship in 2019.
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Earlier this year, Bennett was suspended by the DRA alongside Billy Warriner after the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) reported suspicious betting on a number of darts matches in the MODUS Super Series.
After months of investigations, the DRA have now released a statement with their disciplinary ruling as well as a report of the findings.
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DRA Issue Statement and Findings After Finding Leighton Bennett Guilty of Match Fixing
On Monday 2nd December, the DRA released a statement outlining their decision. It reads:
The Darts Regulation Authority Disciplinary Committee has delivered its decision in the case of Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner. Both accepted numerous breaches of the DRA Rules, including match fixing. Bennett has been suspended from the sport for a total of 8 years and to pay £8,100.23 in costs. Warriner has been suspended for 10 years and to pay £8,100.23 in costs
On 8th September 2023 International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) reported suspicious betting on the following Darts matches played in the Modus Super Series:
- Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas played on 06/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Benjamin Drue-Reus played on 06/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Ryan Harrington played on 08/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas Played on 08/09/2023
The Darts Regulation Authority with support from the Gambling Commission Sports Betting Intelligence Unit conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations. The DRA decided that both players had a case to answer for serious breaches of the DRA Rules.
On 18th November 2024 at a hearing before the DRA Disciplinary Committee both players were found guilty of the breaches of the DRA Rules.
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.
The Disciplinary Committee’s decision on sanction and costs are:
Leighton Bennett
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 and ordered to pay £8,100.23 costs, such suspension to end at 23:59 on 11 August 2032
Billy Warriner
For proven breaches of DRA rules relating to twelve allegations in connection with the fixing of the results of four matches, four related to failing to assist an investigation, two for acting as an unregistered agent and one of betting on darts matches, together with two related to behaviour at darts events. Warriner is suspended from playing in or being involved in any way in any DRA regulated events for a total period of 10 years and ordered to pay £8,100.23 costs, such suspension to end at 23:59 on 27 June 2034.
Bennett and Warriner have until 14th 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.
They have also released a report of their findings following the investigation which can be found here.
MODUS Super Series Ban Leighton Bennett for Life Following DRA Investigation
Following the verdict earlier today, MODUS Super Series have made the decision to hand the two players a lifetime ban from their events.
They also released a statement to X which can be seen below:
MODUS Super Series Statement: pic.twitter.com/EsRzSYCEQY
— MODUS Super Series (@MSSdarts) December 2, 2024
Leighton Bennett has not yet made a comment publicly following the ruling and we don’t know if he will appeal the decision or not.
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