Darts Competitor Andy Jenkins Receives Eleven-Year Suspension for Altering over a Dozen Games
Rewritten Article:
Andy Jenkins, a seasoned darts player, has been slapped with an 11-year ban from all Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) events, following allegations of fixing a dozen games between February 2022 and July 2023. The 54-year-old will also have to fork over a hefty £17,580 ($23,413) fine.
Jenkins is accused of dishing out insider information about the rigged darts matches to bettors and making 88 wagers through his personal account, which is strictly off-limits for competitors. There's no whispers of other players tagging along in this shady scheme. Jenkins has until May 6 to lodge an appeal against the ruling.
Suspicious betting activity on five of Jenkins' matches prompted a report from a sportsbook operator.
The DRA leaned on assistance from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) Sports Betting Intelligence Unit after the sportsbook operator reported fishy betting patterns involving Jenkins to the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).
John Pierce, UKGC's Enforcement Director, weighed in on the ban, stating it sends a "hard-hitting and undeniable message to all athletic contenders - manipulate matches, and you'll get caught, and face severe ramifications." He further added that gamblers must be able to trust that markets remain honest and untouched.
This isn't the first time Jenkins has copped a multi-year ban during his career. Back in 2009, he was slapped with a two-year suspension for attacking his rival Terry Jenkins during a match.
Match-fixing incidents in professional darts seem somewhat rare compared to other sports. However, recent high-profile cases serve as a reminder of the strict enforcement that follows such violations[1][2][3]. The 11-year ban doled out to former World Championship semifinalist Andy Jenkins underlines the severe penalties for proven offenses[1][3].
Key details about penalties:- Long ban periods: Jenkins received an 11-year ban (retroactively beginning in November 2023, expiring in 2034) and a £17,580 fine for manipulating 12 Modus Super Series matches and leaking confidential information (2022–2023)[1][3].- Additional sanctions: To add insult to injury, a concurrent year-long ban was imposed for placing 88 bets on games (March 2022–May 2023)[1][2].- Enforcement collaboration: The UK Gambling Commission’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit joined forces with the DRA to investigate, reflecting the importance of cross-agency vigilance[1][3].
Regulators prioritize maintaining public trust in betting markets, with Commission Director John Pierce claiming that match-fixing risks "serious consequences" and emphasizing continuous monitoring[1][2]. While solitary cases like Jenkins’ highlight potential weaknesses, the DRA's decisive actions demonstrate proactive measures aimed at deterring corruption[3].
- Despite the 11-year ban and £17,580 fine, Andy Jenkins, a former World Championship semifinalist, is likely to appeal the ruling made by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) for his actions in manipulating darts matches and leaking insider information.
- The allegations against Jenkins involved not only fixing a dozen games between February 2022 and July 2023, but also making 88 wagers through his personal account, a clear breach of competition rules.
- The general-news and crime-and-justice sectors have been abuzz with the news of Jenkins' ban, serving as a reminder of the integrity that should be upheld in sports and betting markets.
- The UK Gambling Commission’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit, alongside the DRA, has been instrumental in combating match-fixing incidents, emphasizing the importance of cross-agency vigilance to maintain public trust in betting markets.
