Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair collaboration
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31 August 2019
ByDan Whitworth
Money Box reporter
The charity Samaritans has actually come in for criticism over its relate to the betting business Paddy Power Betfair.
Staff at the group chose Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
But critics - including loved ones of people with gambling issues who took their own lives - say it is risking its reputation by dealing with the company.
Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and competence will help Paddy Power Betfair improve how it helps vulnerable clients.
The collaboration involves activities such as fundraising, business contribution and volunteering.
Samaritans states it will also help it continue its work "to attempt to decrease the number of deaths by suicide".
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"Appalling"
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But John Myers, who lost his kid Ryan five years ago when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to gambling, stated that was not a sufficient factor.
"I'm extremely dissatisfied in the Samaritans.
"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get money from other individuals, wherever they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I do not think is right.
"This market has actually damaged households and destroyed lives.
"To even think of lying in bed with these people is incorrect and I think they ought to rethink it and stop taking their money."
Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, informed the BBC she had concerns about the tie-up.
"At best this is horrible and at worst it's appalling," she stated.
"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to a market with a credibility for being responsible for suicides through addiction to betting - it troubles me.
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"For me it legitimises this company. I have actually fulfilled a lot of individuals who have actually lost liked ones, livelihoods and homes through dependency to gaming.
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"Everything Samaritans does is to attempt to resolve the issues that all betting business have a function to play in producing.
" [Samaritans] should return to basics and keep doing what's it's been respected for doing for years - its wonderful work."
In statements both organisations stated the partnership will not just help Samaritans' fundraising efforts, but its insight and know-how will also assist Paddy Power Betfair look after vulnerable clients and develop and strengthen its policies in this area.
Paddy Power Betfair added it is "eager to gain from the great work the Samaritans already do, in order to continuously improve our responsible gaming 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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Samaritans Criticised Over Paddy Power Betfair Partnership
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