The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) suspended three players over suspicious bets placed during the Modus Super Series.
There are two separate ongoing DRA inquiries. The first involves a match between Jack Main and Lisa Ashton in the Modus Super Series Event. On June 9th, the International Betting Integrity Association reported suspicious betting on the match.
After an initial investigation, the DRA suspended Main from attending or competing in DRA-sanctioned events until the conclusion of a formal hearing on the matter. Main has the right to appeal his suspension. The DRA noted that there was no suggestion that Ashton was involved in the matter.
Prakash Jiwa and Andy Jenkins are the focus of the second inquiry. The specific matches involving Jiwa and Jenkins have yet to be disclosed.
The DRA issued the following statement:
“The Darts Regulation Authority Chairman has decided to suspend Prakash Jiwa and Andy Jenkins from attending or competing in DRA-sanctioned events whilst an investigation is conducted into suspicious betting on matches played in the Modus Super Series. The players have the right to appeal this decision.”
Last month, Jiwa, known as “The Apache,” won the Indian Qualifier, making him eligible for his second World Darts Championship. Jiwa’s suspension, however, could result in his absence from next month’s championship.
This is not the first betting scandal involving darts. In 2020, the DRA suspended Kylie McKinstry and Wessel Nijman over suspicious betting identified by the International Betting Integrity Association. Nor is darts the only sport contending with betting scandals. As long as there are organized sports, there will be an incentive to illegally profit from them. Just last month, Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali was hit with a ten-month ban for breaching Italian soccer federation betting rules. But it goes much further than that. Just this year alone, the NHL, the PGA Tour, the NFL, and a slew of collegiate athletic programs have all had to take disciplinary action relating to US sports betting violations.
