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 yohaig code betting business Paddy Power Betfair.

Staff at the yohaig code group selected Samaritans as their Charity of the Year.

But critics - including loved ones of individuals with gaming issues who took their own lives - say it is risking its track record by dealing with the company.

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Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and competence will help Paddy Power Betfair improve how it assists vulnerable consumers.

The partnership includes activities such as fundraising, corporate donation and volunteering.

Samaritans states it will also assist it continue its work "to try to lower the number of deaths by suicide".

"Appalling"

But John Myers, who lost his child Ryan five years back when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to betting, said that was not an excellent adequate reason.

"I'm very disappointed in the Samaritans.

"They're a charitable organisation so they need to get cash from other individuals, any place they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I do not think is right.

"This market has ruined families and ruined lives.

"To even consider depending on bed with these individuals is wrong and I think they need to reconsider it and stop taking their cash."

Carolyn Harris, chairwoman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, informed the BBC she had issues 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 a market with a reputation for being accountable for suicides through addiction to gaming - it troubles me.

"For me it legitimises this company. I've met numerous individuals who have actually lost enjoyed ones, livelihoods and homes through addiction to gambling.

"Everything Samaritans does is to attempt to solve the yohaig code problems that all betting companies have a function to play in developing.

" [Samaritans] must return to fundamentals and keep doing what's it's been appreciated for providing for years - its wonderful work."

In statements both organisations stated the yohaig code partnership will not simply help Samaritans' fundraising efforts, however its insight and know-how will also assist Paddy Power Betfair care for susceptible customers and establish and enhance its policies in this area.

Paddy Power Betfair included it is "keen to find out from the fantastic work the yohaig code Samaritans currently do, in order to constantly improve our accountable gaming tools and interactions".