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

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Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair collaboration

31 August 2019
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ByDan Whitworth Money Box reporter

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

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

But critics - including family members of people with gaming problems who took their own lives - say it is risking its credibility by working with the yohaig code company.

Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and competence will help Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it assists susceptible customers.

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

Samaritans states it will also help it continue its work "to try to decrease the yohaig code variety of deaths by suicide".
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"Appalling"

But John Myers, who lost his boy Ryan five years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to betting, said that was not a sufficient factor.
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"I'm extremely dissatisfied in the Samaritans.

"They're a charitable organisation so they to get cash from other individuals, anywhere they can. But to toss yourself in with the devil I do not believe is right.

"This market has actually damaged households and damaged lives.

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

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

"At finest this is horrible and at worst it's terrible," she said.
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"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to an industry with a track record for being responsible for suicides through addiction to gambling - it problems me.

"For me it legitimises this promotion code company. I have actually fulfilled so lots of people who have actually lost liked ones, livelihoods and homes through dependency to gaming.

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

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

In statements both organisations said the collaboration will not simply assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, but its insight and expertise will also assist Paddy Power Betfair look after vulnerable customers and establish and reinforce its policies in this location.
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Paddy Power Betfair included it is "eager to discover from the fantastic 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 once again here.

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