Samaritans Criticised Over Paddy Power Betfair Partnership
Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair partnership
31 August 2019
ByDan Whitworth
Money Box reporter
The charity Samaritans has actually come in for criticism over its links with the betting business Paddy Power Betfair.
Staff at the group chose Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
But critics - consisting of relatives of individuals with gambling problems who took their own lives - say it is risking its reputation by dealing with the firm.
Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and competence will help Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it helps vulnerable clients.
The collaboration includes activities such as fundraising, corporate donation and offering.
Samaritans states it will likewise assist it continue its work "to try to reduce the variety of deaths by suicide".
"Appalling"
But John Myers, who lost his son Ryan 5 years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to betting, stated that was not an excellent adequate reason.
"I'm incredibly dissatisfied in the Samaritans.
"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get money from other individuals, any place they can. But to toss yourself in with the devil I do not believe is right.
"This market has destroyed households and ruined lives.
"To even consider lying in bed with these individuals is incorrect 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 concerns about the tie-up.
"At finest this is distasteful and at worst it's dreadful," she said.
"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to an industry with a credibility for being accountable for suicides through addiction to gaming - it troubles me.
Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair partnership
31 August 2019
ByDan Whitworth
Money Box reporter
The charity Samaritans has actually come in for criticism over its links with the betting business Paddy Power Betfair.
Staff at the group chose Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
But critics - consisting of relatives of individuals with gambling problems who took their own lives - say it is risking its reputation by dealing with the firm.
Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and competence will help Paddy Power Betfair enhance how it helps vulnerable clients.
The collaboration includes activities such as fundraising, corporate donation and offering.
Samaritans states it will likewise assist it continue its work "to try to reduce the variety of deaths by suicide".
"Appalling"
But John Myers, who lost his son Ryan 5 years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after becoming addicted to betting, stated that was not an excellent adequate reason.
"I'm incredibly dissatisfied in the Samaritans.
"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get money from other individuals, any place they can. But to toss yourself in with the devil I do not believe is right.
"This market has destroyed households and ruined lives.
"To even consider lying in bed with these individuals is incorrect 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 concerns about the tie-up.
"At finest this is distasteful and at worst it's dreadful," she said.
"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to an industry with a credibility for being accountable for suicides through addiction to gaming - it troubles me.