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

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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 has actually come in for criticism over its relate to the wagering business Paddy Power Betfair.

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

But critics - consisting of family members of people with gaming problems who took their own lives - state it is risking its track record by working with the firm.

Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and proficiency will help Paddy Power Betfair improve how it assists susceptible clients.
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The partnership includes activities such as fundraising, corporate donation and volunteering.

Samaritans says it will also help it continue its work "to attempt to decrease the number of deaths by suicide".

"Appalling"
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But John Myers, who lost his boy Ryan five years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to gambling, said that was not a sufficient factor.
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"I'm incredibly disappointed in the Samaritans.

"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get money from other individuals, wherever they can. But to toss yourself in with the yohaig code devil I don't think is right.

"This market has ruined households and damaged lives.

"To even think of depending on bed with these people is incorrect and I think they need to rethink it and stop taking their cash."

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

"At finest this is distasteful and at worst it's appalling," she stated.

"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to a market with a credibility for being responsible for suicides through addiction to gambling - it difficulties me.

"For me it legitimises this company. I've fulfilled a lot of individuals who have actually lost enjoyed 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 companies have a function to play in producing.

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

In declarations both organisations stated the collaboration will not just help Samaritans' fundraising efforts, however its insight and knowledge will also assist Paddy Power Betfair take care of vulnerable customers and develop and strengthen its policies in this area.

Paddy Power Betfair included it is "eager to find out from the fantastic work the Samaritans currently do, in order to continually improve our accountable gambling 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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