Paddy Power donates £1m to Prostate Cancer UK following World Darts Championship final
Operator pledged to give £1,000 for every 180 thrown at the tournament as part of its title sponsorship
Paddy Power has donated £1m to Prostate Cancer UK following the conclusion of World Darts Championship.
The operator promised to give £1,000 for every 180 thrown at the tournament, which was won by Luke Humphries on Wednesday night after a thrilling final.
The new world number one edged out teenage sensation Luke Littler 7-4 in front of a packed Alexandra Palace to seal his first-ever world title.
At the events conclusion, there were 914 maximums thrown, which beat the previous record of 901 the year prior.
However, Paddy Power said that donating £914,000 “didn’t feel quite right” so rounded the figure up to £1m.
Steve Hawkes, Flutter UK and Ireland’s chief reputation and external officer, said: “The Big 180 campaign has been amazing.
“And today Paddy Power announced we’re rounding up our donation to Prostate Cancer UK to £1m. Thanks to everyone who has supported this superb initiative. PCUK, the PDC and, not least, the players.”
Prostate Cancer UK CEO Laura Kerby thanked Paddy Power, the PDC and players for what they achieved and donated over the course of the tournament.
Kerby added: “A massive thanks to Paddy Power for driving forward this campaign, for the Professional Darts Corporation and of course those players for peppering the treble 20 bed.
“It’s been essential viewing from start to finish and has almost certainly saved men’s lives too.”
Winner Humphries threw the most 180s during the tournament with 73 and was awarded the inaugural Ballon d’Art trophy by Paddy Power.
Elsewhere, BetMGM will become the title sponsor for Premier League Darts after securing an agreement today.
The event begins on 1 February and concludes in May and will see eight players compete for £1m.
It is a new sponsorship deal between the operator and the Professional Darts Corporation, with the body’s chief executive Matt Porter saying the firm was keen to work with BetMGM.
Porter said: “The Premier League will reach a huge live audience and a massive global television audience across four months, and we’re delighted to welcome BetMGM as our new title sponsor.”
Sam Behar, BetMGM UK director added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with such an exciting and entertaining event as Premier League Darts and look forward to an action-packed 2024 for both BetMGM and the PDC.”