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Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair collaboration
31 August 2019
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ByDan Whitworth
Money Box reporter
The charity Samaritans has come in for criticism over its links with the wagering company Paddy Power Betfair.
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Staff at the group chose Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
But critics - including loved ones of people with betting issues who took their own lives - state it is risking its reputation by dealing with the firm.
Both organisations say Samaritans' insight and knowledge will help Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it helps vulnerable clients.
The partnership includes activities such as fundraising, corporate donation and volunteering.
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Samaritans states it will likewise help it continue its work "to try to minimize the number of deaths by suicide".
"Appalling"
But John Myers, who lost his boy Ryan 5 years back when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to gambling, stated that was not a great enough reason.
"I'm exceptionally disappointed in the Samaritans.
"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get money from other individuals, anywhere they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I don't think is right.
"this promotion code industry has ruined households and damaged lives.
"To even think of depending on bed with these individuals is wrong and I think they need to rethink it and stop taking their money."
Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the yohaig code All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, told the BBC she had concerns about the tie-up.
"At finest this promotion code is horrible and at worst it's terrible," she said.
"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to an industry with a for being accountable for suicides through dependency to gaming - it troubles me.
"For me it legitimises this promotion code organization. I have actually fulfilled many individuals who've lost liked ones, livelihoods and homes through dependency to betting.
"Everything Samaritans does is to attempt to resolve the issues that all gambling companies have a function to play in creating.
" [Samaritans] should return to fundamentals and keep doing what's it's been appreciated for providing for years - its wonderful work."
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In declarations both organisations stated the yohaig code partnership will not just assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, however its insight and expertise will also help Paddy Power Betfair look after vulnerable clients and establish and strengthen its policies in this promotion code area.
Paddy Power Betfair added it is "eager to gain from the wonderful work the Samaritans already do, in order to continually enhance our accountable gambling 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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Samaritans Criticised Over Paddy Power Betfair Partnership
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