Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair partnership

31 August 2019

ByDan Whitworth
Money Box reporter

The charity Samaritans has come in for criticism over its links with 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 betting issues who took their own lives - say it is risking its reputation by working with the firm.

Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and know-how will assist Paddy Power Betfair improve how it helps susceptible consumers.

The partnership involves activities such as fundraising, corporate donation and volunteering.

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

"Appalling"

But John Myers, who lost his child Ryan five years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to betting, said that was not a good adequate reason.

"I'm very disappointed in the yohaig code Samaritans.

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

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

"To even believe about lying in bed with these people is wrong and I think they should reconsider it and stop taking their cash."

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

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

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

"For me it legitimises this promotion code service. I have actually satisfied numerous individuals 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 business have a function to play in developing.

" [Samaritans] need to get back to essentials and keep doing what's it's been appreciated for doing for years - its fantastic work."

In statements both organisations said the collaboration will not simply help Samaritans' fundraising efforts, but its insight and competence will likewise assist Paddy Power Betfair care for vulnerable customers and establish and strengthen its policies in this promotion code location.

Paddy Power Betfair added it is "eager to gain from the wonderful work the Samaritans currently do, in order to constantly enhance our accountable gambling tools and interactions".

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

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