Teen darts sensation Leighton Bennett has found himself in hot water after being suspended due to allegations of suspicious betting activity surrounding four of his matches. The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has taken action, stating that Bennett will not be allowed to participate in any tournaments sanctioned by them until a hearing is held. This decision comes after a joint investigation with the UK Gambling Commission’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit.
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) initially flagged concerns about Bennett’s games during the MODUS Super Series in September 2023. The then-16-year-old competed against three opponents – Mindaugas Barauskas, Ryan Harrington, and Benjamin Drue-Reeves – over a two-day period. Social media has been abuzz with footage from these games, fueling speculation and controversy.
Despite this setback, Bennett has made a name for himself in the darts world since bursting onto the scene in 2019. At just 13 years old, he made headlines by defeating the legendary Phil Taylor. Hailing from Lincoln, Bennett recently earned his PDC Tour card and had set his sights on challenging Premier League Darts champion Luke Littler. However, his future in the sport is now uncertain due to the ongoing investigation.
In addition to Bennett, fellow player Billy Warriner is also facing suspension for similar reasons. Both players have the option to appeal their cases, but the cloud of suspicion hangs over their careers as they await further developments.
The darts community is reeling from these revelations, as fans and experts alike grapple with the implications of potential match-fixing and betting irregularities. The integrity of the sport is paramount, and any allegations of foul play must be thoroughly investigated to maintain the trust and credibility of darts competitions.
As Bennett and Warriner navigate the fallout from these allegations, the darts world is left to ponder the consequences of such actions on the future of the sport. The outcome of the DRA’s investigation will undoubtedly have far-reaching effects on the players involved and the broader darts community. Only time will tell how this controversy will shape the landscape of professional darts moving forward.