Darts is experiencing a significant surge in betting activity, with new data from Entain indicating sustained, multi-year growth across major tournaments.
Ahead of this weekend's Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals, the operator reported a 37% increase in total bets on darts since 2018.
Betting on the PDC World Darts Championship has risen even more sharply, with the number of wagers nearly doubling and total stakes up 59% over the same period.
This momentum has carried into 2025, with Entain recording year-on-year staking growth across several flagship events.
The BetMGM Premier League season is up 22%, the Ladbrokes UK Open 41% and the World Grand Prix 32%. More modest uplifts were also seen in the PDC World Cup of Darts and the World Series of Darts, each up 7%.
Entain attributes a portion of this growth to the rise of Luke Littler, who claimed his first World Championship title this year.
The operator also points to increasing mainstream visibility, supported by long-term UK broadcast renewals. Sky Sports extended its coverage through 2030 in a £125m ($164m) agreement, while ITV has committed to a new deal running until 2028.
Commenting on the matter, Entain CEO Stella David noted: "The Littler Effect, other rising stars like Beau Greaves and greater accessibility have transformed darts into a global phenomenon - and our sportsbook data proves it.
"Viewership has surged and betting engagement mirrors this. As a huge fan myself, it's great to see what was once a niche sport, now driving some of the fastest growth in the industry."
According to the operator, popular bet types continue to include match-winner accumulators, markets on most 180s and special wagers involving Littler such as 170 checkouts or nine-dart finishes.
The rise of fast-paced play, a new generation of high-profile athletes and expanded media access suggest that betting interest in darts is likely to continue its upward trajectory.
For the Players Championship Finals, Ladbrokes has introduced its 'Ladisfaction Prize Pot,' awarding £9,000 to a selected customer if a nine-dart leg is thrown during their session
