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

The charity Samaritans has come in for criticism over its relate to the yohaig code wagering company Paddy Power Betfair.

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

But critics - including family members of people with betting issues who took their own lives - state it is risking its track record by working with the yohaig code firm.

Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and proficiency will help Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it assists susceptible consumers.

The partnership involves activities such as fundraising, business donation and volunteering.

Samaritans states it will likewise help it continue its work "to attempt to lower the number of deaths by suicide".

"Appalling"

But John Myers, who lost his kid Ryan five years ago when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to betting, stated that was not a great enough reason.

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

"This market has damaged families and destroyed lives.

"To even believe about depending on bed with these individuals is incorrect and I think they need to reassess it and stop taking their money."

Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, told the yohaig code BBC she had concerns about the tie-up.

"At best this promotion code is distasteful and at worst it's terrible," she stated.

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

"For me it legitimises this service. I have actually met a lot of individuals who've lost loved ones, livelihoods and homes through dependency to betting.
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"Everything Samaritans does is to try to solve the issues that all gambling business have a role to play in producing.
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" [Samaritans] should return to basics and keep doing what's it's been appreciated for providing for years - its fantastic work."

In declarations both organisations stated the partnership will not simply help Samaritans' fundraising efforts, however its insight and competence will likewise help Paddy Power Betfair care for vulnerable clients and establish and enhance its policies in this area.

Paddy Power Betfair added it is "keen to find out from the wonderful work the yohaig code Samaritans already do, in order to continuously improve our accountable gambling tools and interactions".
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You can hear more on BBC Radio 4's Money Box program on Saturday at 12pm or listen again here.

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