Darts player Jenkins has been banned for match-fixing after being found guilty of manipulating matches between 22 February 2022 and 5 July 2023. He was also determined to have shared information about these matches with bettors, according to the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA). The investigation, which involved collaboration with the Gambling Commission’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit, revealed no indications that other players participated in the match-fixing activities.
In addition to match-fixing, Jenkins violated betting regulations by admitting to wagering on 88 matches from 17 March 2022 to 4 May 2023. The DRA has a strict policy that prohibits players from betting on darts events.
As a result of these infractions, Jenkins has been handed a ban and fined £17,580 ($23,453). He will be ineligible to compete in DRA events until 14 November 2034.
John Pierce, the commission director of enforcement, emphasized that this case sends a “strong and unequivocal message” to athletes across all sports concerning match-fixing. “If you fix matches, you are likely to be caught and face serious consequences,” Pierce stated. He affirmed that betting customers in Britain deserve assurance that their betting markets are fair and not corrupted. The Sports Betting Intelligence Unit plans to continue its collaboration with the DRA to prevent match-fixing incidents.
Jenkins is the most recent darts player to receive a significant ban for match-fixing. Earlier in March, English-Indian player Prakash Jiwa was banned for eight years for similar violations and was ordered to pay £17,741 in costs. Last December, players Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner were found guilty of match-fixing; Bennett received an eight-year suspension, while Warriner was banned for ten years, with both ordered to cover £8,100 in costs.
