Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair collaboration
31 August 2019
ByDan Whitworth
Money Box press reporter
The charity Samaritans has actually come in for criticism over its relate to the wagering business Paddy Power Betfair.
Staff at the group selected Samaritans as their Charity of the yohaig code Year.
But critics - consisting of relatives of people with gaming problems who took their own lives - state it is risking its track record by dealing with the company.
Both organisations say Samaritans' insight and proficiency will assist Paddy Power Betfair improve how it assists vulnerable clients.
The partnership includes activities such as fundraising, business donation and offering.
Samaritans says it will likewise help it continue its work "to attempt to decrease the variety of deaths by suicide".
"Appalling"
But John Myers, who lost his son Ryan five years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to gaming, said that was not a good sufficient factor.
"I'm very dissatisfied in the Samaritans.
"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get cash from other individuals, wherever they can. But to toss yourself in with the yohaig code devil I do not believe is right.
"this promotion code market has actually ruined households and destroyed lives.
"To even think of lying in bed with these individuals is wrong 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.
"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to an industry with a track record for being responsible for suicides through addiction to gaming - it troubles me.
"For me it legitimises this service. I have actually met a lot of individuals who've lost enjoyed ones, incomes and homes through addiction to gambling.
"Everything Samaritans does is to try to solve the issues that all gambling business have a role to play in producing.
" [Samaritans] ought to return to essentials and keep doing what's it's been respected for providing for years - its great work."
In declarations both organisations stated the collaboration will not simply assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, however its insight and competence will likewise help Paddy Power Betfair look after vulnerable clients and establish and reinforce its policies in this promotion code area.
Paddy Power Betfair added it is "eager to discover from the wonderful work the Samaritans currently 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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