Teenager Darts Prodigy Embroiled in Suspicious Betting Investigation

Leighton Bennett, an 18-year-old, has been credited with being one of the most talented darts players and an upcoming prodigy. Yet, the Darts Regulation Authority has now suspended him as it received information about suspicious betting activity surrounding his games.

Darts Prodigy Leighton Bennett Finds Himself in a Tough Spot

This is not to say that Bennett is himself culpable or at fault here. However, he will not be able to compete under any of the authority’s sanctioned tournaments until a hearing takes place, and an investigation by the UK Gambling Commission’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit concludes.

His possible transgressions date back to an earlier period, when the darts ace was only 16 and competed in the MODUS Super Series a few years back. The International Betting Integrity Association was among the first bodies to raise an alarm over the player’s performance, although details about what is alleged are scarce.

The allegations specifically name Bennett’s games versus three opponents at the time, to name Mindaugas Barauskas, Ryan Harrington, and Benjamin Drue-Reeves. Not much else is known right now, apart from the four games that Bennet is facing an investigation over.

For example, there are no exact details as to what his offenses may be. Did he lose any of the games on purpose? All games were played in September 2023. DRA Chairman Nigel Mawer has said that Bennett and fellow player Billy Warriner, who was also named in the official statement, have “a lot to answer for.”

A Prodigy Who Will Faces the Toughest Scrutiny

Was he approached by someone who made him an offer to place bets on his performance and split the proceeds? This is what the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit will venture to find out, although an investigation is also in itself a serious enough matter.

Bennett first broke onto the competitive scene in 2019 and managed to beat Phil Taylor, a legend himself, when he was only 13. This quickly locked all eyeballs on Bennett, vaulting him to salience overnight and making him a fixture of Premier League Darts.   

Although the darts scene may be short on players, and truly successful ones are few and between, if found guilty, Bennett may face a ban from the authority’s events and also potential fines.