Darts player Jenkins banned for match-fixing

UK Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has issued an 11-year ban to former professional darts player Andy Jenkins for fixing 12 matches.

Jenkins was found guilty of fixing darts matches between 22 February 2022 and 5 July 2023. He was also ruled to have passed information relating to these matches to bettors, the DRA said.

The DRA, which worked with the Gambling Commission’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit on the investigation, said there is no suggestion other players in the matches in question were involved.

Meanwhile, Jenkins also breached rules on betting on matches. He admitted to wagering on 88 matches between 17 March 2022 and 4 May 2023. The DRA prohibits all players from betting on darts events.

Jenkins will now serve the ban and has also been ordered to pay a £17,580 ($23,453) fine. He will not be eligible to play in DRA events again until 14 November 2034.

‘Strong’ message on match-fixing

Commenting on the case, John Pierce, commission director of enforcement, said this will serve as a “strong and unequivocal message” to competitors across all sports in regard to match-fixing.

“If you fix matches, you are likely to be caught and face serious consequences,” Pierce said. “Betting customers in Britain deserve confidence that the markets they engage with are fair and free from corruption.

“Our Sports Betting Intelligence Unit will continue to work closely with partners like the DRA to identify and prevent match-fixing.”

Jenkins is the latest darts player to face a lengthy ban for match-fixing. In March, the DRA banned English-Indian player Prakash Jiwa for eight years for match-fixing and betting on darts. He was also ordered to pay costs of £17,741.

Last December, Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner were both found guilty of and admitted to charges of match-fixing. Bennett was suspended for eight years and Warriner 10 years, while both were ordered to pay £8,100 in costs.

Original Article