BDO World Championship prize money remains unpaid as 28-day mark passes

BDO players are still yet to receive their World Championship prize money despite the 28-day deadline passing.

It is understood all 40 men and 16 women are yet to have been paid their earnings from the BDO’s show-piece event, which took place from January 4-12 at London’s Indigo at The O2.

Players were assured in a contract that ‘any prize money awarded at the World Professionals will be paid out by way of a BACS payment within 28 days of the conclusion of the World Championship.’

That 28-day window came to a close on Sunday February 9.

Several players have since taken to social media to confirm they are yet to receive payment, with Dean Winstanley posting a thread on Facebook to which numerous players have responded.

Breaking news! I've just checked my bank account and you'll never guess…

Still nothing…

— Ryan Hogarth (@RyanHogarth180) February 10, 2020

The World Championship prize fund was slashed by almost 60 per cent for the men’s tournament and ten per cent for the ladies event.

Eventual champion Wayne Warren was set to receive £25,000, a £75,000 reduction on the 2019 total, while Mikuru Suzuki was in line to pick up £10,000.

Last month, PDC Chairman Barry Hearn called for the BDO board to “resign en bloc immediately” following its “disgraceful” treatment of players.

However, the BDO Board has since vowed to plough on, penning a letter to its members earlier this month which included assurances over major tournaments and sponsorship deals.

Live Darts understands that one hold-up over the payment of BDO World Championship prize money is the apparent disappearance of the tournament’s official shirt sponsor.

BetBroker, a little-known gambling company, was said to be unlicensed and owed money to several customers.

BetBroker has since deactivated its Twitter account and there is no trace of a website or contact details.

The BDO is yet to comment on the unpaid prize money or its dealings with BetBroker.