Jacklin was criticised after prize money reductions and low attendances at the BDO World Championships in January.

Having been held at Lakeside Country Club in Surrey since 1986, the tournament moved to Indigo, a venue within London's O2 complex.

Many fans cited the location and higher prices as reasons why they did not attend this year.

"After many months of thoughts and deliberation, I have made the decision to resign my position as BDO director, chairman and chief executive with immediate effect," Jacklin said in a statement.

"I wish all success to my successor and the BDO for the future."

Players were warned in a letter from Jacklin just days before the BDO World Championships got underway that prize money would be cut after only 15 per cent of tickets were sold, and that the brand was "toxic" in some circles.

Wales' Wayne Warren received £23,000 ($27,000/€25,000) for winning the 2020 men's title, significantly less than the £100,000 ($118,000/€108,000) awarded to 2019 champion Glen Durrant of England.

In a much longer statement posted on Facebook, Jacklin said the BDO World Championships had to move away from the Lakeside because the governing body lost nearly £200,000 ($237,000/€216,000) by holding it there.

"The Lakeside only paid for the prize money, £329,000 ($390,000/€355,000)," he writes.

"We got nothing else at all, meaning we had to pay all production costs, officials, hotels, staging, lighting and all other costs.

"To continue with the Lakeside, we would lose £200,000 minimum and that’s with me cutting costs."