Australian legend Simon Whitlock has issued a passionate plea to the next generation of darts players, warning them against the “poison” of cheating as the sport grapples with a wave of corruption scandals that threaten its integrity.
In an emotional interview, the former World Championship finalist—known affectionately as “The Wizard”—did not hold back when addressing the recent spate of match-fixing and doping bans that have rocked the professional circuit.
“You’re Only Fooling Yourself”
Whitlock, 56, who has enjoyed a two-decade career at the highest level, spoke from the heart about the temptations that face struggling players.
“I’ve seen it happen. I’ve played against blokes who I knew were up to no good,” Whitlock stated. “And let me tell you—the money isn’t worth your soul. You cheat once, you’re a cheat forever. That label sticks.”
The Australian veteran pointed to the recent high-profile bans—including Andy Jenkins’ 11-year suspension for match-fixing and the shocking cases of young prospects Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner being banned for fixing matches as teenagers—as cautionary tales.
“How do you look at yourself in the mirror?” Whitlock asked. “These kids, they had their whole careers ahead of them. Now they’re remembered for the wrong reasons. That’s tragic. That’s avoidable.”
The Pressure Trap
Whitlock acknowledged the immense financial pressure that drives some players to consider unethical shortcuts, echoing the recent testimony of Gian van Veen about the crippling cost of competing.
“I get it. The tour is expensive. Travel, hotels, entry fees—it adds up. And when you’re losing, it feels like the world is caving in,” Whitlock admitted. “But there are other ways. You work harder. You get a part-time job. You lean on your family. You don’t sell your integrity for a few thousand quid.”
He urged younger players to look at the long game rather than quick fixes.
“Some of these blokes are fixing matches for what? Five grand? Ten grand? You know what that buys you? A few months of rent. And then you’re banned for a decade. The math doesn’t add up. It never does.”
A Culture Shift Needed
Whitlock called on the PDC and the Darts Regulation Authority to do more to protect vulnerable players, particularly those on the lower tiers of the tour who are most susceptible to exploitation.
“We need better education. We need to sit these kids down and show them the wreckage,” he said. “Show them the players who lost everything. Show them the empty seats in the crowd where their fans used to sit. Because once the trust is gone, it’s gone forever.”
He also took aim at the gambling industry’s influence on the sport, though he stopped short of calling for a full ban on sponsorship.
“I’m not naive. Sponsors pay the bills. But we need boundaries. We need players to understand that betting on your own sport—or worse, manipulating outcomes—isn’t a victimless crime. It ruins lives. It ruins the sport we all love.”
The Whitlock Way
The Wizard, who reached the 2010 World Championship final and has remained a fan favorite for his flowing locks and consistent scoring, said his own career has been built on integrity.
“I’ve never cheated. Not once. And I’ve lost matches I should have won. That’s darts. That’s life. You take the bad with the good,” he said.
“When I walk off that stage, win or lose, I can look my kids in the eye. I can look my parents in the eye. And I can say, ‘I gave it my all, honestly.’ That’s worth more than any trophy. Any prize money. Any ranking.”
A Final Warning
Whitlock ended with a stark warning for any player considering crossing the line.
“To the young blokes coming through: don’t do it. Don’t even think about it. Because once you take that path, there’s no coming back. The officials will catch you. The cameras see everything. And your so-called ‘friends’ who talked you into it? They won’t be there when you’re banned. They’ll move on to the next desperate player.”
He paused, choosing his next words carefully.
“Darts gave me everything. A career. A family. A life. And I’ve never paid anyone to win a match. I’ve never thrown a game for money. I’ve never taken a substance to get an edge. And I’m still here, 20 years later, still competing. That’s the path. That’s the only path.”
The PDC has yet to officially respond to Whitlock’s comments, but sources suggest his remarks have been noted with approval by senior officials eager to restore faith in the sport’s governance.