Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair partnership
bet9ja.com
31 August 2019
bet9ja.com
ByDan Whitworth reporter

The charity Samaritans has come in for criticism over its links with the wagering company Paddy Power Betfair.

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

But critics - consisting of relatives of people with betting problems who took their own lives - say it is risking its reputation by dealing with the firm.

Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and expertise will assist Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it assists vulnerable customers.

The partnership includes activities such as fundraising, corporate contribution and volunteering.
bit.ly
Samaritans says it will also assist it continue its work "to attempt to lower the yohaig code number of deaths by suicide".

"Appalling"

But John Myers, who lost his son Ryan five years back when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to gambling, said that was not an excellent enough factor.

"I'm incredibly dissatisfied in the Samaritans.
bit.ly
"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get cash from other individuals, anywhere they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I do not think is right.

"This market has destroyed families and damaged lives.

"To even think about lying in bed with these people is wrong and I believe they ought to reassess it and stop taking their money."

Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, informed the BBC she had issues about the tie-up.
bit.ly
"At best this is distasteful and at worst it's terrible," she stated.
bit.ly
"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to a market with a reputation for being responsible for suicides through dependency to gaming - it troubles me.

"For me it legitimises this promotion code organization. I've fulfilled numerous individuals who have actually lost enjoyed ones, incomes and homes through dependency to gaming.

"Everything Samaritans does is to try to solve the yohaig code issues that all gambling companies have a role to play in producing.

" [Samaritans] need to get back to essentials and keep doing what's it's been respected for doing for years - its wonderful work."

In declarations both organisations said the partnership will not just assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, however its insight and competence will likewise assist Paddy Power Betfair look after susceptible consumers and establish and enhance its policies in this location.

Paddy Power Betfair included it is "eager to learn from the fantastic work the Samaritans already do, in order to continuously enhance our responsible betting tools and interactions".

You can hear more on BBC Radio 4's Money Box programme on Saturday at 12pm or listen again here.

Follow Money Box, external and Dan, external on twitter.

Gambling business see huge increase in grievances

12 August 2019

Gambling firms promise ₤ 60m to help addicts

2 July 2019

Why is betting so addictive?

24 June 2019
bit.ly
'A banking app helped me beat my addiction'
bit.ly
6 October 2018

Gambling Commission - Home