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

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Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair partnership
bit.ly
31 August 2019

ByDan Whitworth Money Box reporter

The charity Samaritans has actually come in for criticism over its links with the betting business Paddy Power Betfair.

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

But critics - including relatives of individuals with gaming issues who took their own lives - say it is risking its reputation by working with the firm.

Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and competence will assist Paddy Power Betfair improve how it helps vulnerable customers.

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

Samaritans says it will also help it continue its work "to try to lower the variety of deaths by suicide".

"Appalling"

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

"I'm exceptionally disappointed in the Samaritans.

"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get cash from other individuals, any place they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I do not think is right.
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"This industry has destroyed families and damaged lives.

"To even think of depending on bed with these people is incorrect and I believe they need to reassess it and stop taking their money."
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Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, informed the BBC she had issues about the yohaig code tie-up.
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"At best this is horrible and at worst it's dreadful," she stated.

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

"For me it legitimises this service. I've met so many people who've lost loved ones, incomes and homes through addiction to betting.

"Everything Samaritans does is to attempt to solve the problems that all gambling companies have a function to play in creating.

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

In both organisations said the partnership will not just assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, however its insight and expertise will likewise assist Paddy Power Betfair take care of vulnerable clients and develop and enhance its policies in this promotion code location.
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Paddy Power Betfair included it is "keen to gain from the wonderful work the Samaritans currently do, in order to constantly improve our accountable gaming 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.

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