samaritans-criticised-over-paddy-power-betfair-partnership

Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair collaboration
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31 August 2019
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ByDan Whitworth Money Box reporter

The charity Samaritans has come in for criticism over its relate to the wagering business Paddy .

Staff at the group picked Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.

But critics - consisting of loved ones of individuals with gambling problems who took their own lives - say it is risking its reputation by dealing with the firm.

Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and expertise will help Paddy Power Betfair improve how it helps vulnerable customers.

The collaboration involves activities such as fundraising, corporate contribution and volunteering.

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

But John Myers, who lost his son Ryan 5 years back when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to gambling, said that was not a sufficient reason.

"I'm extremely dissatisfied in the Samaritans.

"They're a charitable organisation so they require to get cash from other individuals, any place they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I don't think is right.
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"this promotion code market has damaged households and destroyed lives.
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"To even think about lying in bed with these individuals is wrong and I think they must reconsider it and stop taking their money."
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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.
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"At best this is distasteful and at worst it's appalling," she stated.

"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to an industry with a credibility for being accountable for suicides through addiction to betting - it difficulties me.

"For me it legitimises this service. I've met so lots of individuals who have actually lost loved ones, livelihoods and homes through dependency to gambling.

"Everything Samaritans does is to attempt to resolve the issues that all gambling business have a function to play in developing.

" [Samaritans] should get back to basics and keep doing what's it's been respected for providing for years - its great work."
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In statements both organisations said the partnership will not just help Samaritans' fundraising efforts, but its insight and proficiency will also help Paddy Power Betfair take care of susceptible clients and develop and reinforce its policies in this area.
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Paddy Power Betfair added it is "keen to learn from the wonderful work the Samaritans currently do, in order to continuously enhance our responsible gambling tools and interactions".

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

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