An English darts player has been given an 11-year ban by the U.K. Gambling Commission for match-fixing. The 54-year-old, Andy Jenkins, is prohibited from competing in Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) events and will pay $23,472.12 for illicitly interfering with 12 Modus Super Series matches.
Key insights
- Jenkins interfered with matches from Feb. 2022 to July 2023
- A commission director said that British bettors should be confident the markets aren’t being manipulated
- Jenkins will be able to return to DRA events at the age of 63
Jenkins was found guilty of fixing matches and nefariously communicating with known sports bettors from February 2022 to July 2023. He also copped to ignoring DRA rules and placing 88 wagers on dart matches from March 17, 2022 to May 4, 2023.
The charge of betting on DRA matches resulted in a one-year suspension, which will be served concurrently with the 11 years for match-fixing.
The Gambling Commission’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit supported the investigation by supplying information gathered after conducting interviews with relevant parties.
“This case sends a strong and unequivocal message to all sportspeople: if you fix matches, you are likely to be caught and face serious consequences,” said Commission Director of Enforcement, John Pierce. “Betting customers in Britain deserve confidence that the markets they engage with are fair and free from corruption.
Jenkins, a 2007 World Championship semifinalist, has until May 6 to appeal the decision. The DRA does not believe Jenkins’ opponents in matches he fixed were involved in the scheme.
The possibility of match-fixing is one of the greatest fears in an era in which sports are synonymous with gambling.
“Our Sports Betting Intelligence Unit will continue to work closely with partners such as the Darts Regulation Authority to identify and prevent match-fixing,” said Pierce.
Match-fixing concerns
It’s unknown exactly how Jenkins manipulated his performances for the benefit of sports bettors, aside from the implicit.
The 11-year ban was backdated to November 2023, when Jenkins and two other competitors, Jack Main and Prakash Jiwa, were suspended. He will be eligible to return on November 15, 2034, at which time he will be 63.
The Covers tracker lists eight instances of suspected or confirmed match-fixing in 2025, none from the world of darts.
The most recent came on April 12 when U.S. National men’s soccer team midfielder Weston McKennie and 12 others were linked to an illegal betting ring in Italy.
Another involved Fresno State men’s basketball players Mikell Robinson and Jalen Weaver, who were suspended after it was revealed they allegedly used daily fantasy sports apps to bet on their own props.
Most professional sports leagues prevent athletes from betting on competitions within their sports and leagues to avoid situations like these.
Jenkins won 15 titles over the course of his career, spanning from the Mill Rythe Darts Festival in 1992 to Target Open Series 7 in 2023.
