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 betting business Paddy Power Betfair.

Staff at the group selected Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
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But critics - consisting of loved ones of individuals with betting problems who took their own lives - say it is risking its reputation by dealing with the yohaig code company.
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Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and competence will assist Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it assists vulnerable consumers.

The partnership involves activities such as fundraising, business donation and volunteering.
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Samaritans says it will also assist it continue its work "to try to reduce the number of deaths by suicide".
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"Appalling"

But John Myers, who lost his kid Ryan five years back when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to gambling, stated that was not a sufficient 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, anywhere they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I don't believe is right.

"this promotion code industry has actually ruined households and damaged lives.

"To even consider depending on bed with these individuals is incorrect and I believe they must reconsider it and stop taking their cash."
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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 tie-up.

"At best this promotion code is horrible 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 addiction to gambling - it difficulties me.

"For me it legitimises this promotion code service. I have actually fulfilled numerous individuals who have actually lost loved ones, livelihoods and homes through dependency to gambling.
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"Everything Samaritans does is to attempt to fix the problems that all have a role to play in producing.

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

In declarations both organisations said the collaboration will not just assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, however its insight and competence will also help Paddy Power Betfair care for susceptible consumers and establish and reinforce its policies in this promotion code area.

Paddy Power Betfair included it is "eager to gain from the yohaig code fantastic work the Samaritans already do, in order to continually enhance our responsible gaming 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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