Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair partnership

31 August 2019

ByDan Whitworth Money Box press reporter

The charity Samaritans has come in for criticism over its relate to the betting company Paddy Power Betfair.

Staff at the group picked Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.

But critics - consisting of loved ones of people with gaming issues who took their own lives - state it is risking its credibility by dealing with the firm.

Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and expertise will help Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it assists susceptible consumers.

The collaboration involves activities such as fundraising, corporate contribution and offering.

Samaritans states it will also assist it continue its work "to try to lower the number of deaths by suicide".

"Appalling"
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But John Myers, who lost his child Ryan 5 years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to gambling, stated that was not a sufficient reason.
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"I'm incredibly disappointed in the Samaritans.

"They're a charitable organisation so they to get cash from other individuals, wherever they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I do not believe is right.

"This industry has actually destroyed families and destroyed lives.

"To even consider depending on bed with these individuals is wrong and I believe they should rethink it and stop taking their cash."

Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, told the BBC she had concerns about the tie-up.

"At best this promotion code is distasteful and at worst it's terrible," she stated.

"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to an industry with a reputation for being accountable for suicides through addiction to gambling - it difficulties me.
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"For me it legitimises this promotion code company. I have actually satisfied a lot of people who've lost loved ones, incomes and homes through addiction to gaming.
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"Everything Samaritans does is to try to solve the problems that all betting business have a role to play in producing.

" [Samaritans] need to get back to fundamentals and keep doing what's it's been appreciated for doing for years - its great work."

In statements both organisations said the collaboration will not simply assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, but its insight and know-how will likewise assist Paddy Power Betfair care for vulnerable clients and establish and reinforce its policies in this location.
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Paddy Power Betfair included it is "eager to gain from the fantastic work the yohaig code Samaritans already do, in order to continuously enhance our accountable gambling tools and interactions".
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You can hear more on BBC Radio 4's Money Box programme on Saturday at 12pm or listen once again here.

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