“You are losing money every week" - Gary Anderson calls on PDC to do more to cover players' costs

One of the most experienced players in the entirety of the PDC Pro Tour, Gary Anderson has more than paid his dues over the course of his career. With the legendary Scot now firmly in the autumn of his career however, Anderson believes the PDC needs to do more for the next generation just starting out their professional darts journey.

In particular, Anderson sees the European Tour as having room for improvement. The changed format of the Euro Tour in 2025 has already seen much criticism from across the ranks of the PDC pros, but when it comes to Anderson's thoughts, rather than the format, it's the amount of prize money on offer that needs to be shaken up.

“For the European Tours, if players are entering through the qualifiers, the cost of flights, hotels, and travel adds up," explains the two-time PDC World Darts Championship winner in conversation with Online Darts. “It’s not cheap — and if they lose in the first or second round, they’re likely still out of pocket."

“If you are doing that every week and you don’t have a backer or a sponsor to help you out then it is going to be hard going. You are losing money every week going to these Europeans," he continues. "So, I think the board should have enough money to cover their costs and put a bit to put in their bank.”

As for his own career, whilst Anderson is still full of desire and ambition, the 54-year-old is beginning to feel the wear and tear of a long career catch up with him and as such, is well aware of the need to manage his career going forward. “If I do get back into the top four I will be saying no to a lot of things. It’s not about I’m not wanting to do it. My body won’t let me do it. It’s as simple as that," he says firmly. 

As such, regardless of what happens for the rest of the 2025 season or in the years to come, don't expect Anderson to be returning to the Premier League Darts lineup ever again. “I’m enjoying the Pro Tour and I am enjoying the Europeans that I am doing. So, if I was to be doing that (Premier League Darts ed.) on a Wednesday or Thursday they can be written off," he concludes. “I couldn’t do that. I’m more happy to play Pro Tour and the Europeans that I can get to quite easily. That’s me in my comfort zone.”