Leighton Bennett handed eight-year darts suspension for match-fixing

Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner have been handed lengthy suspensions from darts for match-fixing in the Modus Super Series.

On November 18 at a hearing before the DRA Disciplinary Committee, both players were found guilty of the breaches of DRA Rules.

PDC Tour Card holder Bennett, 18, has been suspended from the sport for a total of eight years and ordered to pay £8,100 in costs, while PDC Development Tour player Warriner has been suspended for 10 years and also ordered to pay £8,100 in costs.

The cases relate to four matches played in the Modus Super Series in Portsmouth in September 2023, before Bennett had secured his Tour Card.

On September 8th, 2023 International Betting Integrity Association reported suspicious betting on the following matches:

• ​Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas played on 6/9/2023
• Leighton Bennett v Benjamin Drue-Reus played on 6/9/2023
• Leighton Bennett v Ryan Harrington played on 8/9/2023
• Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas Played on 8/9/2023

A thorough investigation into the allegations was carried out by the Darts Regulation Authority with support from the Gambling Commission Sports Betting Intelligence Unit, and it was decided that both players had a case to answer for serious breaches of the DRA Rules.

Bennett was found guilty of 10 counts of fixing the four matches, providing inside information about the match, failing to assist the investigation and signing a contract with an unregistered agent.

Warriner admitted 19 of 21 charges for being involved 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.

He also pleaded guilty to an unrelated incident at a darts tournament where he was abusive to an official and threatened his opponent.

Bennett is suspended from playing in or being involved in any way in any DRA regulated events for a total of eight years, with his suspension lasting until August 11, 2032, while Warriner is suspended until June 27, 2034.

The DRA made it clear that no other players were involved in the match fixing.

In total, there were 47 online bets placed, 30 of which were doubles, and the majority on the four matches in question. £3,096 was staked for a £15,484.66 in return – a total profit of £12,579.46.

On the retail betting terminals, 19 bets were placed with a total of £1,510 staked for a return of £3,400 and a profit of £1,890.82.

The investigation identified that Warriner was linked to the majority of those who had placed bets on the relevant matches.

After examining mobile phones and relevant bank records, a number of issues were identified, including:

• A contract between Warriner and Bennett to sponsor Bennett in return for a percentage of his winnings.
• Evidence of betting on darts by Warriner, including Leighton Bennett matches
• Evidence that WhatsApp messages between Warriner and four of the bettors had been cleared
• Evidence that Warriner was seeking to act as an agent for another DRA regulated player.

Both players denied any wrongdoing during the investigation, in which Bennett’s performances in the matches in question were reviewed by a former professional and concluded to be considerably below his usual standard.

On August 12, the DRA informed Bennett and Warriner that they were to be charged with multiple breaches of the DRA rules and they were provisionally suspended from all DRA regulated events.

On October 30, both players submitted a guilty plea, with Bennett sending the following WhatsApp message to PDPA president Alan Warriner-Little:

“I’m gonna have to go guilty just cause I’m sick of this I’m not guilty just cause it’s really annoying me and ruining my head been going on for ages now this has so anything to get it just gone.”

“Yeah that’s fine mate I just want it done if I’m honest with everything going on its too much for my head been doing heading getting me down etc I haven’t done anything but just say it mate cause I’ve had enough with it tbh bud.”

Bennett, the 2019 BDO World Youth Champion, was tipped for greatness after beating Phil Taylor in an exhibition match aged just 13.

He secured a PDC Tour Card at Qualifying School in January and notably landed a nine-darter in the opening Players Championship event of the season, but picked up just £11,500 in ranking prize money during his debut season.

The teenager becomes the latest player to face the wrath of the DRA for betting breaches in the Modus Super Series, with Prakash Jiwa and Andy Jenkins currently suspended and Jack Main receiving a two-year ban in February. Wessel Nijman and Kyle McKinstry both received bans for match-fixing during the Modus ‘At Home’ Series in 2020.

Following the news of Bennett’s suspension on Monday, Target Darts released a statement confirming his contract has been terminated with immediate effect.

The statement read: ‘Target is deeply disappointed to learn of Leighton Bennett’s actions and fully respects the ruling imposed by the Darts Regulation Authority. His sponsorship contract with Target Darts has been terminated, effective immediately.

Integrity, fairness, and respect for the game are key values to Target’s mission to build a better game for all, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding these principles.

Darts is rooted in honour and respect, and we will continue to support initiatives that promote transparency, honesty and fairness across all levels of this great sport.’

Bennett’s Tour Card will now be revoked, meaning an additional Tour Card will become available at Qualifying School in January.

Modus Super Series released the following statement on social media: