Darts duo Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner banned for charges including match-fixing
The Darts Regulation Authority banned Leighton Bennett for eight years and Billy Warriner for 10 years over charges including match-fixing.
The penalty follows an investigation by the DRA after the International Gambling Integrity Association reported questionable bets on four races involving Bennett during the 2023 Modus Super Series.
The DRA determined that “both players must be held accountable for serious breaches of the rules” and, Since being suspended in August, Bennett and Warriner were found guilty at a hearing in November.
A statement from the DRA said: “Bennett was found guilty of 10 counts of fixing four matches, providing inside information about matches, failing to assist an investigation and entering into a contract with an unregistered agent.”
“Warriner admitted 19 of 21 charges, including being involved in fixing four matches, providing inside information and organizing betting on matches, four counts of failing to assist an investigation, two counts of acting as an unregistered agent and betting on darts .
“In addition, he admitted an unrelated incident during a darts match in which he abused an official and threatened an opponent.”
Bennett and Warriner were also ordered to pay legal costs of £8,100 each and have until December 14 to lodge an appeal.
In 2019, at the age of 13, Bennett won the competition and became the youngest-ever BDO Youth Champion. In the same year, he defeated darts legend Phil Taylor.
He won a card on the Pro PDC Tour earlier this year and vowed to compete with World Championship runner-up Luke Littler.
