The iGaming Industry: Dart's Biggest Partner in the 21st Century

The game of darts is experiencing a renaissance of late. The emergence of the prodigal talent of Luke Littler has piqued the interest of so many who would not have previously followed the sport. With that came packed-out arenas and record viewership figures for televised events. It's safe to say that there's never been a better time for the sport.

It's not as if this is an entirely new development, though. Darts has been on the up and up for years, largely driven by a changing demographic to a younger audience. The Premier League has been well-attended up and down the country since its inception 20 years ago. Thriving attendance has meant a superior product.

One thing that has been a constant, too, is the presence of the iGaming industry as possibly the sport's biggest supporter. The online casino and sportsbook market has been ever-present as far as professional darts is concerned. So how is iGaming keeping darts a thriving sport in a world of endless choice for fans and supporters?

Slots are the darling of online casinos. They're easily the most popular game that players flock to at these sites. This is largely because of the ease of play and the rapid-fire nature of the gameplay. But another big reason, especially in the modern age of video slots, is the themes and stories on offer.

The shift to online slots has allowed developers to create lots with all different kinds of themes. Players are spoilt for choice, with slots based on themes as diverse as Egyptian mythology and space-set science fiction. In fact, sports-themed slots have managed to establish their own niche in the landscape of iGaming - and this stretches to darts.

For example, Karamba's casino games include a number of different sports-themed slots, but one of particular note is the World Darts Championship title. In this game, players are given an Ally Pally-based game with some of the biggest stars like Rob Cross and Michael van Gerwen on the reels. It certainly helps reach a new audience for the game.

Looking at the Premier League in particular, it's hard to separate darts from the iGaming industry when it comes to sponsorship. Of the 20 seasons we've seen so far, 11 times, the title sponsor has been part of the industry. That may not sound like much, but the breakdown of the numbers is stark.

In the first 10 years, there were only 3 seasons with an iGaming sponsorship. The others were alcohol brands like Holsten and crisp brand McCoy's. That means that the last 10 years have seen 80% iGaming sponsorship, showing just how strong the relationship has become. The prize fund numbers have grown with that relationship, too.

The first edition had a prize fund of £150,000. The 2025 edition has seen players battling it out for a share of £1 million, as per the BBC. That represents a 566% increase since Phil Taylor won the inaugural competition. Numbers like that show that the money flowing into the sport is much more significant than in its early days. Adjusted for inflation, that first fund would now still only be worth £260,000.

Advertorial: Ultimately, the reason the iGaming industry is so happy to invest in darts is that it is a successful relationship for both parties. For the brands advertising on players’ shirts, at the venues, and by becoming title sponsors, a thriving darting landscape is exactly what they want.

The PDC and BDO simply need to ensure that they capitalise on the current excitement around the sport. In the last couple of years, that has been driven by the emergence of a boy wonder in Littler, but now it can be sustained by a rivalry to put bums in seats for the next decade and beyond. The Nuke versus Cool Hand Luke Humphries looks to be the headline matchup.

Needless to say, while the audience remains engaged, online casinos and sportsbooks won't be abandoning darts. That could potentially mean even more record-breaking prize funds for the best players on the circuit.