Samaritans Criticised Over Paddy Power Betfair Partnership
Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair collaboration
31 August 2019
ByDan Whitworth
Money Box reporter
The charity Samaritans has come in for criticism over its links with the wagering company Paddy Power Betfair.
Staff at the group picked Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
But critics - consisting of relatives of individuals with gaming problems who took their own lives - state it is risking its reputation by working with the company.
Both organisations say Samaritans' insight and expertise will help Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it assists susceptible clients.
The partnership involves activities such as fundraising, corporate donation and offering.
Samaritans says it will also help it continue its work "to attempt to lower the number of deaths by suicide".
"Appalling"
But John Myers, who lost his kid Ryan 5 years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to gambling, said that was not an excellent adequate factor.
"I'm very dissatisfied in the Samaritans.
"They're a charitable organisation so they require to get money from other individuals, any place they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I do not think is right.
"This industry has actually destroyed households and ruined lives.
"To even think of depending on bed with these people is wrong and I think they should reconsider it and stop taking their money."
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 distasteful and at worst it's appalling," she stated.
"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to a market with a reputation for being accountable for suicides through addiction to gaming - it difficulties me.
"For me it legitimises this business.
Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair collaboration
31 August 2019
ByDan Whitworth
Money Box reporter
The charity Samaritans has come in for criticism over its links with the wagering company Paddy Power Betfair.
Staff at the group picked Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
But critics - consisting of relatives of individuals with gaming problems who took their own lives - state it is risking its reputation by working with the company.
Both organisations say Samaritans' insight and expertise will help Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it assists susceptible clients.
The partnership involves activities such as fundraising, corporate donation and offering.
Samaritans says it will also help it continue its work "to attempt to lower the number of deaths by suicide".
"Appalling"
But John Myers, who lost his kid Ryan 5 years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to gambling, said that was not an excellent adequate factor.
"I'm very dissatisfied in the Samaritans.
"They're a charitable organisation so they require to get money from other individuals, any place they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I do not think is right.
"This industry has actually destroyed households and ruined lives.
"To even think of depending on bed with these people is wrong and I think they should reconsider it and stop taking their money."
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 distasteful and at worst it's appalling," she stated.
"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to a market with a reputation for being accountable for suicides through addiction to gaming - it difficulties me.
"For me it legitimises this business.