Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair collaboration

31 August 2019

ByDan Whitworth Money Box press reporter

The charity Samaritans has actually come in for criticism over its relate to the wagering company Paddy Power Betfair.
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Staff at the group chose Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
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But critics - consisting of loved ones of people with gaming problems who took their own lives - say it is risking its track record by working with the company.
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Both organisations say Samaritans' insight and expertise will assist Paddy Power Betfair improve how it helps susceptible customers.

The collaboration includes activities such as fundraising, corporate contribution and volunteering.

Samaritans states it will also assist it continue its work "to attempt to decrease the variety of deaths by suicide".

"Appalling"
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But John Myers, who lost his boy Ryan 5 years back when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to gaming, said that was not a sufficient factor.

"I'm exceptionally disappointed in the Samaritans.

"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get money from other individuals, any place they can. But to toss yourself in with the devil I do not think is right.

"this promotion code market has damaged households and damaged lives.

"To even consider depending on bed with these people is incorrect and I think they must reassess it and stop taking their cash."

Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, told the BBC she had issues about the yohaig code tie-up.
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"At finest this promotion code is horrible and at worst it's appalling," she stated.

"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to a market with a reputation for being accountable for suicides through addiction to gaming - it troubles me.
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"For me it legitimises this service. I've fulfilled numerous individuals who have actually lost enjoyed ones, incomes and homes through dependency to betting.

"Everything Samaritans does is to attempt to resolve the problems that all betting business have a role to play in creating.

" [Samaritans] should get back to basics and keep doing what's it's been appreciated for doing for years - its wonderful work."

In declarations both organisations stated the partnership will not just assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, but its insight and know-how will likewise help Paddy Power Betfair take care of vulnerable clients and develop and reinforce its in this location.

Paddy Power Betfair included it is "keen to find out from the wonderful work the Samaritans currently do, in order to continually improve our responsible gaming tools and interactions".

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

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