Former PDC World Champion Gerwyn Price has recently publicly called out a punter who sent him an abusive message after his quarter-final exit from the US Darts Masters. Price was beaten 6-3 by James Wade in New York, despite posting a strong tournament average of 103.93.
Shortly after the defeat, a social media user who had apparently bet on the match contacted Price on Facebook, accusing him of not trying and venting frustration over lost money.
The message included insults and complaints about players letting down those who wager on them. Price responded by sharing a screenshot of the abusive message on his own social media, along with parts of the sender’s public Facebook profile that included family photos.
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In a pointed caption, he sarcastically asked, “Didn’t lose a bet did u buddy?” before criticising the abuse and suggesting the man’s family would be disappointed by his behaviour. The exchange escalated when the individual blocked Price, prompting the Welshman to post again, noting that his comments had clearly hit a nerve and encouraging followers to tag the sender.
The incident is the latest high-profile example of darts players facing online abuse from bettors upset over gambling losses. Several leading professionals have spoken out in recent years about the growing problem, with many urging fans to separate sporting results from personal respect.
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As sports betting continues to expand, players, governing bodies, and campaign groups have repeatedly called for an end to this kind of harassment, stressing that no wager justifies abuse or personal attacks on competitors.
Images: PDC
