Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair partnership
31 August 2019
ByDan Whitworth
Money Box press reporter
The charity Samaritans has come in for criticism over its relate to the betting business Paddy Power Betfair.
Staff at the group picked Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
But critics - including relatives of people with betting issues who took their own lives - say it is risking its track record by working with the company.
Both organisations say Samaritans' insight and competence will help Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it assists susceptible consumers.
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The collaboration involves activities such as fundraising, business donation and volunteering.
Samaritans says it will also assist it continue its work "to attempt to reduce the number of deaths by suicide".
"Appalling"
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But John Myers, who lost his son Ryan 5 years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to gaming, said that was not a great sufficient reason.
"I'm exceptionally dissatisfied in the Samaritans.
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"They're a charitable organisation so they require to get cash from other people, anywhere they can. But to toss yourself in with the devil I don't believe is right.
"this promotion code industry has actually ruined families and ruined lives.
"To even believe about depending on bed with these people is incorrect and I believe they must rethink it and stop taking their cash."
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 promotion code is distasteful and at worst it's appalling," she stated.
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"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to a market with a credibility for being accountable for suicides through addiction to gaming - it troubles me.
"For me it legitimises this promotion code company. I've fulfilled numerous people who have actually lost loved ones, incomes and homes through dependency to gambling.
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"Everything Samaritans does is to try to fix the issues that all betting business have a function to play in developing.
" [Samaritans] need to get back to fundamentals and keep doing what's it's been appreciated for providing for years - its fantastic work."
In statements both organisations said the partnership will not simply help Samaritans' fundraising efforts, but its insight and knowledge will likewise help Paddy Power Betfair take care of vulnerable consumers and develop and reinforce its policies in this promotion code location.
Paddy Power Betfair included it is "eager to gain from the great work the Samaritans already do, in order to continually enhance our accountable gambling tools and interactions".
You can hear more on BBC Radio 4's Money Box programme on Saturday at 12pm or listen again here.
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Samaritans Criticised Over Paddy Power Betfair Partnership
dantemcnab706 edited this page 2025-10-22 17:37:20 +08:00