Darts star who stunned Phil Taylor when he was just 13 and vowed to challenge Luke Littler suspended indefinitely

DARTS CHIEFS have banned wonderkid Leighton Bennett indefinitely following an alleged betting scandal.

Bennett has been suspended from competing in any DRA sanctioned darts events after suspicious betting patterns were detected following his participation in the Modus Super Series last year.

Taylor Lanning/PDC

Leighton Bennett has been suspended after suspicious betting patterns were detected after his participation in the Modus Super Series[/caption]

Bennett, 18, was previously touted as one of the best up-and-coming talents in the world of darts after he beat legend Phil Taylor in an exhibition match aged just 13.

The Lincoln-born thrower has been suspended alongside fellow darts pro Billy Warriner until the conclusion of a hearing around the alleged breaches.

A statement from the DRA reads: “On 8th September 2023 International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) reported suspicious betting on the following Darts matches played in the Modus Super Series:

1. Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas played on 06/09/2023
2. Leighton Bennett v Benjamin Drue-Reus played on 06/09/2023
3. Leighton Bennett v Ryan Harrington played on 08/09/2023
4. Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas Played on 08/09/2023

“The Darts Regulation Authority with support from the Gambling Commission Sports Betting Intelligence Unit conducted a thorough investigation into the allegation.

“The DRA Chairman Nigel Mawer has now decided that Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner both have a case to answer for a number of serious breaches of the DRA Rules.

“As a result of this decision, Leighton Bennett and Billy 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.

“Their case will be referred to the DRA Disciplinary Committee where a formal hearing will take place on a date to be confirmed.

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

DRA governed events include the PDC Tour, meaning both players will be sitting out a number of high-profile events during the investigation.

Bennett only received his PDC Tour card this year, some six years after he hit headlines in 2018 for smashing Phil Taylor in an exhibition match.

Taylor Lanning/PDC

Bennett sunk Phil Taylor in an exhibition match when he was just 13 years old[/caption]

And the former kid prodigy even claimed he would love to take on teen sensation Luke Littler earlier this year in a battle of the wonderkids.

Bennett said: “I’d love for Luke and I to be the next big thing of darts and I genuinely believe we can be.

“I think the sport has changed dramatically over the past few years. The image has changed and it’s now more of a sport for younger people.

“It would be awesome if Luke and I become the new Taylor vs Barney sort of rivalry.

“At our ages we could seriously be winning titles for the next 30 years.

“It would be great if we drew each other at the UK Open in March on the main stage. I think that’s what the fans would want. I’d want that draw definitely.

“I’m looking forward to battling with Luke and players like Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross who has been a mentor for me.

“I think I’ve played Luke 50 or 60 times. I’ve got a better record over him, only because I was a bit older probably.

“Over the past two years he has battered me more. I beat him last time though, I need to say that obviously.”

Getty

Bennett has previously said he would like to play Luke Littler[/caption]