Teenage darts sensation Leighton Bennett has been banned for eight years for charges including against the Darts Regulatory Authority.
Bennett, 18, and Billy Warriner, both banned for 10 years, as a result of the DRA investigation.
The International Betting Integrity Association has reported questionable bets on four matches involving Bennett in the 2023 Modus Super Series.
Bennett is a former BDO Junior Champion, becoming the youngest ever to win the tournament in 2019 at the age of 13.
The DRA ruled that “both players must answer for their serious breach of the rules” and, suspended in August, Bennett and Warriner pleaded guilty at a hearing in November.
Bennett became the youngest BDO Youth Champion when he was just 13 years old in 2019. He also defeated 14-time world champion Phil Taylor in the same year.
The teenager won a card into the professional PDC Tour earlier this year and has vowed to challenge World Championship runner-up Luke Littler, who won the Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts titles this season as a 17-year-old.
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“Bennett pleaded guilty to 10 charges of fixing four matches, providing inside information on matches, failing to assist an investigation and contracting an unregistered agent,” the DRA said in a statement.
“Warner admitted 19 of the 21 charges: four of match-fixing, providing inside information and arranging betting on matches, four of failing to assist an investigation, two of acting as an unregistered agent and betting on darts.
“In addition, he pleaded guilty to an unrelated incident at a darts event where he insulted an official and threatened his opponent.”
Bennett and Warry, who were also ordered to pay £8,100 in costs, have until December 14 to appeal.
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