DRA Hands Out Lengthy Bans To Two Darts Players For Match-Fixing

Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner have been banned from darts for eight & 10 years respectively.

Key points:

• Leighton Bennett has received an eight-year ban and fine for match fixing
• Billy Warriner has received a 10-year ban for match fixing and acting as an unregistered agent
• Both players have also been fined £8,100 each

Investigation Overview

The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) Disciplinary Committe has concluded the case of Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner, deeming both players to have been in breach of match fixing regulations – resulting in lengthy bans.

Suspicious Matches Under Investigation

The case began following reports of suspicious betting behaviour submitted by the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), following multiple Modus Super Series Darts fixtures. Namely, the fixtures under initial scrutiny were:

• Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas
• Leighton Bennett v Benjamin Drue-Reus
• Leighton Bennett v Ryan Harrington
• Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas

Timeline Of Matches

Of the four matches in question, the initial two were played on the 6 September 2023, with the remaining two being played on 8 September 2023.

Findings And Breaches

Following the concerns raised by the IBIA, the Gambling Commission Sports Intelligence Unit, alongside the DRA, conducted an in-depth investigation which revealed severe breaches of DRA match fixing rules.

Sanctions For Bennett

In the case of Bennett, the player was found guilty on 10 counts of match fixing charges across the four matches, alongside providing inside information on the fixtures, failing to assist an investigation and signing a contract with an unlisted darts agent.

Good to know:
In January, Kambi reported record numbers of betting during the World Darts Championship final.

Subsequently, Bennett has been charged with an eight-year suspension from any and all DRA regulated events and fined a total sum of £8,100 ($10,256).

Sanctions For Warriner

Regarding Warriner, the player was found guilty of providing inside information on the aforementioned matches, two instances of acting as an unregistered agent alongside four instances of failing to comply with the investigation, two counts of acting as an unregistered darts betting agent – as well as an unrelated incident involving him threatening an opponent and abusing an official.

Subsequently, Warriner has been handed a 10-year suspension and a fine of £8,100.

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