Bennett has received an eight-year suspension from participating in darts, while Warriner has been barred for 10 years. Additionally, each of the players must pay costs totaling £8,100 (€9,762/$10,271).
The decision by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) was prompted by a report from the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) concerning suspicious betting activities. This report, published in September 2023, highlighted irregularities relating to matches played during the Modus Super Series.
The specific matches in question included Bennett’s clashes with Mindaugas Barauskas and Benjamin Drue-Reus on September 6, 2023. Subsequent matches on September 8, 2023, had Bennett again facing Barauskas and competing against Ryan Harrington.
In collaboration with the Gambling Commission Sports Betting Intelligence Unit, the DRA initiated an extensive investigation into these incidents.
Both players were ultimately deemed to have committed “serious” rule violations, leading to their suspensions in August. This was affirmed during a disciplinary hearing conducted by the DRA on November 18, where both Bennett and Warriner were found guilty of these infractions.
### Darts Authority: Players Obstructed Investigation
Bennett was charged with 10 violations, including fixing four matches and disclosing insider information. He was further accused of hindering the investigation and engaging with an unregistered agent.
Though Warriner did not directly compete in the incriminated matches, the DRA implicated him for broader involvement in match-fixing schemes.
Warriner conceded to 19 out of 21 charges involving match-fixing, sharing insider knowledge, and orchestrating bets on matches. He also failed to assist in the investigation, acted as an unregistered agent, and placed bets on darts events. Additionally, he confessed to unrelated misconduct at a darts event, where he verbally abused an official and threatened an opponent.
As a result, Bennett is barred from participating in any DRA events until August 11, 2032. Warriner faces a longer suspension, with eligibility for reinstatement only after June 27, 2034. Both have the opportunity to challenge these decisions by December 14.
Previously seen as a promising talent, Bennett made history in 2019 by becoming the youngest British Darts Organisation (BDO) youth champion at just 13 years old.