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Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair partnership

31 August 2019
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ByDan Whitworth Money Box reporter

the yohaig code charity Samaritans has actually come in for criticism over its links with the betting company Paddy Power Betfair.

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

But critics - including relatives of people with betting problems who took their own lives - say it is risking its credibility by working with the company.

Both organisations say Samaritans' insight and competence will assist Paddy Power Betfair improve how it helps vulnerable clients.

The partnership involves activities such as fundraising, corporate donation and .

Samaritans states it will likewise help it continue its work "to try to reduce the variety of deaths by suicide".
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"Appalling"

But John Myers, who lost his child Ryan 5 years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to gaming, said that was not an excellent adequate reason.

"I'm very disappointed in the yohaig code Samaritans.

"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get money from other individuals, anywhere they can. But to toss yourself in with the devil I don't think is right.

"This industry has actually damaged households and destroyed lives.

"To even think of depending on bed with these individuals is incorrect and I believe they must reassess 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.

"At best this is horrible and at worst it's terrible," she stated.
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"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to an industry with a reputation for being responsible for suicides through addiction to gambling - it troubles me.
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"For me it legitimises this promotion code service. I have actually met so lots of individuals who have actually lost enjoyed ones, livelihoods and homes through dependency to betting.

"Everything Samaritans does is to try to resolve the problems that all gambling companies have a role to play in developing.

" [Samaritans] need to return to basics and keep doing what's it's been respected for providing for years - its wonderful work."

In declarations both organisations stated the collaboration will not just assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, but its insight and expertise will likewise help Paddy Power Betfair take care of susceptible clients and develop and reinforce its policies in this location.
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Paddy Power Betfair included it is "eager to gain from the wonderful work the Samaritans already do, in order to continually enhance our accountable gaming tools and interactions".
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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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