A promising darts star once tipped to be the ‘next Phil Taylor’ after beating him at just 13 years old has been banned by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) following reports of suspicious betting.
The DRA has issued a suspension to Leighton Bennet and Billy Warriner with immediate effect following reports from the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) that they have been involved in ‘suspicious betting’.
18 year old Leighton Bennett was once considered the best prospect in darts as people called him ‘the next Phil Taylor’ after beating ‘The Power’ in an exhibition match when he was aged just 13.
Bennett claimed his tour card this year but has been most active on the MODUS Super Series which is where the ‘suspicious’ matches in question happened.
As a result, Bennett will not be able to play in any DRA regulated events including the PDC ProTour while the investigation concludes.
The DRA released the following statement on their website (source):
Darts Regulation Authority Statement on Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner
On 8th September 2023 International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) reported suspicious betting on the following Darts matches played in the Modus Super Series:
1. Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas played on 06/09/2023
2. Leighton Bennett v Benjamin Drue-Reus played on 06/09/2023
3. Leighton Bennett v Ryan Harrington played on 08/09/2023
4. 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 allegation. The DRA Chairman Nigel Mawer has now decided that Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner both have a case to answer for a number of serious breaches of the DRA Rules.
As a result of this decision, Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner have been suspended from attending or competing in DRA governed events until the conclusion of the hearing or hearings and the determination of this matter. Both players have the right to appeal the suspension decision.
Their case will be referred to the DRA Disciplinary Committee where a formal hearing will take place on a date to be confirmed.
There is no suggestion that the other players in the matches in question were involved in any way.
Following this statement, a video has emerged showing one of the matches in question.
In the match against Ryan Harrington, Bennett misses a number of shots by some wide margins and even misses the dartboard completely when being left on a double finish.
Belows is a video from the leg in question:
Obviously it’s only fair to let the proper regulatory bodies conclude their investigation before making a judgement but based on the video above, it does not look good for a player who was tipped to have such a promising and successful darts career…
What do you think of the news, is this another wasted talent as a result of betting scandals? Let us know in the comments below 👇
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