Leighton Bennett has been suspended from playing darts for alleged match fixing in 4 matches over 3 days during the modus super series last year. From the next Phil Taylor to this. Sad.
Leighton Bennett suspended from all DRA sanctioned events with immediate effect for possible match-fixing
PDCTuesday, 13 August 2024 at 11:11
Leighton Bennett has been suspended from playing DRA (Darts Regulation Authority) sanctioned events including PDC tournaments with immediate effect after suspicious betting patterns were detected in his matches.
Bennett who claimed his PDC Tour Card this year after many years of being a top talent without perhaps fulfilling his potential played most of his darts on the MODUS Super Series in 2023.
This is where the matches were alleged to have taken place over a two day period back on the 6th September and 9th September in 2023. Both Bennett and also Billy Warriner have been called upon by the DRA to answer a number of serious breaches of the DRA rules.
They released the following statement on their website detailing the matches in question and the charges brought against him. "On 8th September 2023 International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) reported suspicious betting on the following Darts matches played in the Modus Super Series:
- Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas played on 06/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Benjamin Drue-Reus played on 06/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Ryan Harrington played on 08/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas Played on 08/09/2023
"The Darts Regulation Authority with support from the Gambling Commission Sports Betting Intelligence Unit conducted a thorough investigation into the allegation. The DRA Chairman Nigel Mawer has now decided that Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner both have a case to answer for a number of serious breaches of the DRA Rules.
"As a result of this decision, Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner have been suspended from attending or competing in DRA governed events until the conclusion of the hearing or hearings and the determination of this matter. Both players have the right to appeal the suspension decision.
"Their case will be referred to the DRA Disciplinary Committee where a formal hearing will take place on a date to be confirmed. There is no suggestion that the other players in the matches in question were involved in any way."
This is not the first time that the MODUS Super Series have come under scrutiny for suspicious betting. Jack Main, Prakash Jiwa and Andy Jenkins were all suspended in November 2023 for the same offence.
Jiwa in particular had to forfeit his right to play in the World Championship later that month. While Jack Main was handed a two-year ban after being found guilty of the offence in question on appeal by the DRA.
Bennett is now a PDC Tour Card holder so won't be able to play on the ProTour or any events while this investigation concludes. A player long lauded as the next Phil Taylor, but one that has soon seen his career go up in smoke.
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