Michael van Gerwen issues warning over Luke Littler hype following Bahrain Masters defeat
Littler defeated Van Gerwen in the final in Bahrain
Michael van Gerwen has implored darts fans and the media to let Luke Littler “do his thing” after the 16-year-old made more history by winning the Bahrain Masters.
Littler defeated Van Gerwen 8-5 in the final of the season-opening World Series event on Friday to become the youngest winner of a senior PDC title.
Just two days shy of his 17th birthday, Littler enjoyed a remarkable triumph which also saw him land a nine-dart finish in his Quarter-Final win over Nathan Aspinall, before thrashing Gerwyn Price 7-3 in the Semi-Finals.
Littler has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame following his landmark run to the final of the World Championship – which ended in defeat to Luke Humphries at Alexandra Palace a fortnight ago.
The record-breaking teenager has become the first professional darts player to reach one million followers on Instagram and has been installed as the early favourite to be crowned 2024 Sports Personality of The Year.
Van Gerwen, however, has called for calm over Littler as he prepares for his debut Premier League campaign in the coming weeks, insisting the youngster should not be pushed too hard.
“It is never going to be a good week when Michael is not winning, simple as that,” said Van Gerwen following defeat in the final in Bahrain.
“I think he [Littler] had a fantastic tournament.
“I couldn’t produce what I was doing in the other games and you only can punish yourself for that.
“Of course I’m disappointed but that’s how sport works, you win some, you lose some.
“I’ll get him, don’t worry.
“Everyone says he’s the new kid but everyone knows what he is capable of.
“The crowd, the television, everyone wants to make him bigger but he’s already a good player.
“I know you all want to push him, but let him grow. Let him do his thing.
“The crowd and everyone who is involved in television has to learn – don’t push him too much.
“Of course we know he’s a good player but give him his time and everything will come – no problems.”
Littler will join Van Gerwen in the line-up for next week’s Dutch Darts Masters in Den Bosch before heading to Cardiff on February 1 for the opening night of the Premier League.
BOYLE Sports Sign-Up Offer | Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply
Sky Bet Sign-up Offer | Bet 5p Get £40 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 4 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
Bet365 Sign-Up Offer | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD. 18+ New customers only. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required.
Paddy Power Sign-Up Offer: Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Football on odds of min 1.5 (1/2), get £50 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifying bet has been settled. Rewards valid for 90 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, cards & Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Fairplay Sign-Up Offer: Bet £10 Get £10 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ New Customers Only. Bet £10 and get £10 in free bets. Register an account, opt in to the promotion, using the code "LD10" in the promotional code box and place a £10 qualifying bet at min odds of evens (2.0). Your free bet will be credited after your qualifying bet has settled. Free bets are non-withdrawable and expire after 30 days. Max offer one per customer. Qualifying bets cannot be placed on a price boost. Full T&Cs apply
William Hill Sign-Up Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
18+. Play Safe. Online only. Ends 31.12.26. New UK customers only, registering with promo code R30. Make your first deposit of £10+, then place a £10 single bet from main balance at odds of 1/2+ on any sports market (excluding Virtuals). Get £30 in Free Bets (3x£10) after settlement. Free Bets valid on any sports market excl. Virtuals, expire in 7 days, non-withdrawable and must be used in full (£10 each). Deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay and WH PLUS Card excluded. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. #ad
Betfred Sign-up Offer | Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
New customers only. Register, deposit with a Debit Card, and place a first bet of £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports, to be settled within 7 days, to get £30 in Sports Free Bets and £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs
Betfair Sign-Up Offer: Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get 5x £10 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Apple Pay or Debit Card will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Midnite Sign-Up Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
SBK Sign-Up Offer | Bet £20 Get £50 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ New UK customers. Min £10 first deposit. Place a bet of £20 at min odds of 3.0 and get £50 in Free Bets within 48 hours. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply, GambleAware.org.
Betsuna Sign-Up Offer: Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
New Players Only. Free bet – one-time stake of £50, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Free bets and Bonuses are valid for 7 days. Limited to 1 sport & 5 casino brand/s within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply.
Bet Ahoy Sign-Up Offer: Bet £10 Get £10 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ New customers only. Register and enter promo code ALLABOARD10 via My Bonuses within 7 days. Place a first qualifying £10 bet at EVS (2.0) or greater using cash balance. Void/cashed out bets excluded. After settlement, receive: £5 Sports Free Bet – min odds EVS (2.0) +£5 Acca Free Bet 4+ legs, min odds 2/5 (1.4) per leg. Full T&Cs apply.
Dabble Sign-Up Offer | Bet £10 Get £10 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
New customers only. Bet £10+ in a single real-money bet within 7 days of registration to receive £10 in Free Bets credited within 24 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Free Bets Boosts expire 7 days after credit. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. 18+. Gambleaware.org
Ladbrokes Sign-Up Offer: Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stake not returned). Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
Coral Sign-Up Offer: Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
18+ New UK + ROI customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £/€5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stakes not returned). Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
Stakemate Sign-Up Offer: Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ New Customers Only. Place any £10 bet to qualify, min 2.0 (1/1) odds. Qualifying bet must settle, excluding cash outs. Bonus credited with 24hrs of settlement. 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets min 3 selections and 3.0 odds. Returns exclude free bet stake. Expiry applies .Full T&Cs apply.
BetCrown Sign-Up Offer | Bet £20 Get £20 Free Bet Bet £20 Get £20 Free Bet Excellent Review
Our Score
18+ | Play Responsibly | Begambleaware.Org | 1st Deposit | Min £20 Stake | £20 Free Bet | Min Odds 2.0 | Max Winnings £100 | 5-Day Expiry | Bonus T&Cs Apply
PricedUp Bet Sign-Up Offer: Bet £40 Get £20 in Free Bets Bet £40 Get £20 in Free Bets Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+. New customers only. Opt in required. Minimum bet of £40 on any selections. Min odds of evens (2.00). Pre-game only. Free bet awarded upon settlement. Free bet split into 4 x £5. Free bet on accumulators only. Free bet expiry 24 hours. Other free bet terms apply. Maximum pay-outs apply. GamCare.org.uk | UK only. Full T&Cs apply.
BetTom Sign-Up Offer: Get 50% back as a Free Bet up to £25 - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ New customers only (excludes BetTom casino). Get 50% of first-day losses refunded as a free bet up to £/€25, credited within 24 hours. To qualify, place at least 3 bets of £/€10+ on separate events with odds of 2.0 (evens) or higher. First-day losses are all settled stakes minus returns before 23:59. Free bets must be used fully within 7 days; stakes are not returned and free bets are non-withdrawable. Limited to one free bet per person, household, email, IP, phone, payment method, and shared locations. Abuse, fraud, or multiple accounts will lead to disqualification. Full T&Cs apply
Betway Sign-Up Offer: Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ New customers only. Place a min £10 pre-event bet at min odds of 2.0. £40 worth of Free Bet Tokens awarded on bet settlement. 4 x £10 each with betting restrictions. 7 day expiry. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way Full Terms apply
talkSPORT BET sign-up offer | Bet £10 on Darts and Get £40 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
18+ New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10 on any sports market within 7 days of sign up. Get 2x£20 Free Bets for set markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly.
Unibet Sign-Up Offer | Bet £20 Get £40 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ | GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Opt in, deposit and Bet £20+ on sports at min odds of 2.0+ (1/1) for £40 in Free Bets within 7 days of registration. Debit cards or instant bank transfers only. Free bets expire within 7 days of issue. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply.
BetVictor Sign-Up Offer | Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
18+ Opt in, deposit & bet £10+ (odds 2.00+) on selected markets within 7 days of registration. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Click for T&Cs. gambleaware.org
BetGoodwin Sign-Up Offer | Bet £10 Get £15 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ Use WELCOME15 under My Bonuses within 7 days of registering. To qualify, place a min £10 bet from your cash balance at odds of EVS or higher—only your first bet counts, and it must not be voided or cashed out. Once settled, receive 3 £5 free bets: one for an accumulator (min 4 legs at 2/5 odds per leg), one for any sportsbook market at EVS or higher, and one for a Sub Cover market, also at EVS or higher. Full T&Cs apply.
Grosvenor Sport Sign-Up Offer: Double the odds on your first bet - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD 18+ New Customers Only. For sports bets placed with real money and the Odds Boost Token, up to a maximum £10 stake (£5 each way). PayPal deposits do not qualify, and unused portions of the token are forfeited. “Double the odds” applies to fractional odds profits only, with extra winnings paid in cash on settlement. Token must be used in 60 days, offer is limited to one per person/household. Full T&Cs apply, and Grosvenor Casinos reserves the right to withhold bonuses or exclude customers in cases of abuse, multiple accounts, or failure to verify identity.
EasyBet Sign-Up Offer: Bet £20 Get £20 in Free Bets - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
New customers only. To qualify for free bets, the new user must place and settle £20 on easyBet markets. The user must bet on at least 2 different events to qualify. The user must place and settle bets at odds of 2.0 or more. An event is classed as two different sporting events. Bets can be placed on singles, multiples and Bet Builders. The user must place and settle bets before the closing date of the promotion to qualify. Users making their first deposit by Skrill, Neteller or PaySafe card will not qualify for this promotion. T's and C's Apply. Be Gamble Aware. 18+
AK Bets Sign-Up Offer | 25% boost on any sport accumulator 25% boost on any sport accumulator Excellent Review
Our Score
If your first bet is a Treble or Up on Any Sport (minimum 3 selections) AK Bets will boost the profit gained on that initial bet by 25% in the form of a Free Bet up to a value of £100. Applies to new customers who sign up to AK BETS with the promo code AKACCA100. 18+ GambleAware.org
London Bet Sign-Up Offer: Claim exclusive offers and rewards - Welcome Bonus
Excellent Review
Our Score
#AD | 18+ | T&Cs apply | Gambleaware.org
