Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair partnership
31 August 2019
ByDan Whitworth
Money Box press reporter
The charity Samaritans has actually come in for criticism over its links with the betting business Paddy Power Betfair.
Staff at the group chose Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
But critics - including relatives of individuals with gambling issues who took their own lives - say it is risking its track record by working with the company.
Both organisations say Samaritans' insight and proficiency will assist Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it assists susceptible clients.
the yohaig code collaboration involves activities such as fundraising, business donation and offering.
Samaritans states it will also help it continue its work "to attempt to decrease the number of deaths by suicide".
"Appalling"
But John Myers, who lost his kid Ryan 5 years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to betting, said that was not an excellent adequate reason.
"I'm incredibly disappointed in the Samaritans.
"They're a charitable organisation so they require to get cash from other individuals, anywhere they can. But to toss yourself in with the devil I don't believe is right.
"This industry has actually ruined households and ruined lives.
"To even think about depending on bed with these individuals is wrong and I think they should reassess it and stop taking their money."
Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, told the BBC she had concerns about the tie-up.
"At best this is distasteful and at worst it's appalling," she stated.
"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to a market with a track record for being responsible for suicides through dependency to gambling - it difficulties me.
"For me it legitimises this company. I've met so many people who have actually lost liked ones, incomes and homes through addiction to betting.
"Everything Samaritans does is to try to fix the issues that all betting business have a function to play in producing.
" [Samaritans] should return to essentials and keep doing what's it's been appreciated for doing for years - its fantastic work."
In declarations both organisations said the partnership will not simply assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, however its insight and expertise will likewise help Paddy Power Betfair care for vulnerable clients and establish and strengthen its policies in this location.
Paddy Power Betfair added it is "eager to learn from the fantastic work the Samaritans currently do, in order to continuously improve our accountable gambling tools and interactions".
You can hear more on BBC Radio 4's Money Box program on Saturday at 12pm or listen again here.
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