Andrew Jenkins Receives Lengthy Ban for Match-Fixing

Former professional darts player from England, Andrew Jenkins, has been sanctioned with an 11-year suspension from the sport and a fine exceeding £17,000. This action follows a guilty verdict for match manipulation, a decision that has reverberated throughout the darts community.

The 54-year-old, remembered for his semi-final appearance at the PDC World Championship in 2007, was found to have influenced the outcomes of a dozen matches between February 2022 and July 2023. This determination was made by a disciplinary panel within the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA).

While Jenkins has refuted claims of fixing matches, he did admit to wagering on 88 darts contests from March 2022 to May 2023. This admission constitutes a violation of DRA regulations, which explicitly prohibit players from placing bets on the sport.

For the betting infraction, he received an additional 12-month ban, set to run concurrently with the primary suspension.

The DRA has verified that the ban took effect on November 15, 2023, and will remain in force until November 15, 2034. During this period, Jenkins is barred from participating in any event sanctioned by the DRA.

John Pierce, the Director of Enforcement at the Gambling Commission, stated, “This matter delivers a clear and unmistakable message to every athlete: engaging in match-fixing will likely lead to detection and severe repercussions.”

He underscored the significance of integrity and impartiality in the betting markets, emphasizing that corrupt practices erode public confidence in sports.