• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair collaboration

31 August 2019

ByDan Whitworth
Money Box press reporter

The charity Samaritans has come in for criticism over its links with the wagering business Paddy Power Betfair.

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

But critics - including relatives of people with betting problems who took their own lives - state it is risking its reputation by dealing with the company.

Both organisations state Samaritans' insight and know-how will help Paddy Power Betfair improve how it helps susceptible clients.

The collaboration involves activities such as fundraising, corporate contribution and offering.

Samaritans states it will also help it continue its work "to try to decrease the variety of deaths by suicide".

"Appalling"

But John Myers, who lost his boy Ryan five years earlier when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to gambling, said that was not a good enough reason.

"I'm exceptionally disappointed in the Samaritans.

"They're a charitable organisation so they require to get cash from other people, anywhere they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I don't think is right.

"this promotion code industry has damaged families and destroyed lives.

"To even think of depending on bed with these people is wrong and I think they need to reassess it and stop taking their cash."

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

"At finest this is horrible and at worst it's dreadful," she stated.

"When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to a market with a track record for being accountable for suicides through addiction to gaming - it difficulties me.

"For me it legitimises this promotion code company. I've fulfilled numerous individuals who have actually lost liked ones, livelihoods and homes through addiction to betting.

"Everything Samaritans does is to attempt to resolve the problems that all have a function to play in producing.

" [Samaritans] need to 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 just assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, but its insight and knowledge will also help Paddy Power Betfair look after susceptible customers and establish and reinforce its policies in this promotion code area.

Paddy Power Betfair added it is "eager to gain from the fantastic work the Samaritans already do, in order to constantly improve our responsible gambling tools and interactions".

You can hear more on BBC Radio 4's Money Box program on Saturday at 12pm or listen once again here.

Follow Money Box, external and Dan, external on twitter.

Gambling business see huge increase in grievances

12 August 2019

Gambling companies promise ₤ 60m to assist addicts

2 July 2019

Why is betting so addictive?

24 June 2019

'A banking app helped me beat my addiction'

6 October 2018

Gambling Commission - Home