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 relate to the wagering company Paddy Power Betfair.
Staff at the group selected Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
But critics - consisting of loved ones of people with gaming problems who took their own lives - state it is risking its credibility by dealing with the firm.
Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and know-how will help Paddy Power Betfair improve how it helps vulnerable consumers.
The partnership includes activities such as fundraising, business donation and offering.
Samaritans states it will likewise assist it continue its work "to attempt to lower the number of deaths by suicide".
"Appalling"
But John Myers, who lost his child Ryan five years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to gambling, said that was not an excellent enough factor.
"I'm extremely disappointed in the Samaritans.
"They're a charitable organisation so they require to get money from other people, wherever they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I do not think is right.
"This market has actually destroyed families and damaged lives.
"To even consider depending on bed with these people is wrong and I believe they should reconsider it and stop taking their money."
Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, told the BBC she had issues about the tie-up.
"At finest this is distasteful and at worst it's terrible," she said.
"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to a market with a track record for being responsible for suicides through addiction to betting - 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 relate to the wagering company Paddy Power Betfair.
Staff at the group selected Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.
But critics - consisting of loved ones of people with gaming problems who took their own lives - state it is risking its credibility by dealing with the firm.
Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and know-how will help Paddy Power Betfair improve how it helps vulnerable consumers.
The partnership includes activities such as fundraising, business donation and offering.
Samaritans states it will likewise assist it continue its work "to attempt to lower the number of deaths by suicide".
"Appalling"
But John Myers, who lost his child Ryan five years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to gambling, said that was not an excellent enough factor.
"I'm extremely disappointed in the Samaritans.
"They're a charitable organisation so they require to get money from other people, wherever they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I do not think is right.
"This market has actually destroyed families and damaged lives.
"To even consider depending on bed with these people is wrong and I believe they should reconsider it and stop taking their money."
Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, told the BBC she had issues about the tie-up.
"At finest this is distasteful and at worst it's terrible," she said.
"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to a market with a track record for being responsible for suicides through addiction to betting - it troubles me.