Darts Championship Sponsored By Sports Betting Firm

UK darts event confirms Gala Coral sponsorship.

UK bookmaker Coral has been confirmed as the official sponsor for this weekend's Players Darts Championship (PDC) in Essex.

Taking place at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet from today (January 30th) until Sunday February 1st, the tournament is set to be broadcast live on ITV4.

The PDC brings the top 32 players from the 2008 Players Championship Order of Merit together to compete for a prize pool of £200,000, with the winner taking home £50,000.

PDC Chairman Barry Heam said the organisers of the event were "delighted" to name Coral as the main sponsor.

"We thank them for their support of this new event and their backing is a reflection of the interest this event has created in the sport," he added.

Meanwhile Keith Hawkins, managing director of remote gambling at Gala Coral, said that his company's involvement with the tournament was appropriate given the recent increase in darts betting.

Gala Coral operates almost 2,000 betting venues, over 150 bingo clubs and 27 casinos.