Darts prodigy Bennett suspended over betting allegations

Leighton Bennett is the youngest BDO youth champion in history

Former world youth darts champion Leighton Bennett has been suspended after suspicious betting patterns were reported in four of his matches.

The teenager has been suspended along with Billy Warriner for alleged breaches of Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) rules.

As a result of this decision, Bennett and 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.

Bennett, 18, became the youngest ever BDO youth champion when he won the competition at the age of 13 in 2019. He beat darts legend Phil Taylor the same year.

He won a card on the professional PDC Tour earlier this year and vowed to rival world championship runner-up Luke Littler.

Bennett's suspension refers to four matches he played over two days at the Modus Super Series in September 2023 against Mindaugas Barauskas (twice), Benjamin Drue-Reus and Ryan Harrington.

There is no suggestion that the other players in the matches in question were involved in any way.

The DRA say the pair "have a case to answer for a number of serious breaches to DRA rules".

Their case will be referred to the DRA disciplinary committee but a date for the formal hearing is yet to be confirmed.

It is unclear which match or matches 23-year-old Warriner's suspension refers to.

The DRA have been contacted for comment.