samaritans-criticised-over-paddy-power-betfair-partnership

Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair partnership

31 August 2019
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ByDan Whitworth Money Box press reporter
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The charity Samaritans has come in for criticism over its links with the yohaig code betting business Paddy Power Betfair.

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

But critics - consisting of loved ones of people with gambling issues who took their own lives - say it is risking its reputation by dealing with the company.

Both organisations say Samaritans' insight and knowledge will help Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it helps vulnerable consumers.

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

Samaritans states it will likewise help it continue its work "to try to reduce the variety of deaths by suicide".

"Appalling"

But John Myers, who lost his kid Ryan five years ago when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to gambling, said that was not a good enough factor.

"I'm extremely dissatisfied in the Samaritans.
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"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get money from other individuals, wherever they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I don't believe is right.

"This industry has actually destroyed families and destroyed lives.

"To even think of depending on bed with these individuals is incorrect and I think they need to reassess it and stop taking their cash."
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Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, told the BBC she had concerns about the tie-up.
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"At best this is distasteful and at worst it's dreadful," she said.

"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to an industry with a credibility for being accountable for suicides through dependency to betting - it troubles me.

"For me it legitimises this business. I have actually fulfilled many individuals who have actually lost loved ones, incomes and homes through dependency to gambling.

"Everything Samaritans does is to try to resolve the issues that all gambling business have a role to play in producing.
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" [Samaritans] should get back to fundamentals and keep doing what's it's been respected for providing for years - its fantastic work."
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In statements both organisations said the collaboration will not simply help Samaritans' fundraising efforts, however its insight and expertise will also help Paddy Power Betfair care for vulnerable clients and establish and reinforce its policies in this promotion code area.

Betfair included it is "eager to find out from the fantastic work the Samaritans currently do, in order to constantly improve our accountable gambling tools and interactions".
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You can hear more on BBC Radio 4's Money Box program on Saturday at 12pm or listen again here.

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