Samaritans criticised over Paddy Power Betfair collaboration

31 August 2019

ByDan Whitworth
Money Box reporter

The charity Samaritans has actually come in for criticism over its relate to the betting company Paddy Power Betfair.

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

But critics - consisting of loved ones of people with gambling problems who took their own lives - state it is risking its credibility by working with the company.

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

The collaboration includes activities such as fundraising, corporate donation and offering.

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

"Appalling"

But John Myers, who lost his boy Ryan 5 years back when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to gaming, said that was not a good adequate reason.

"I'm very dissatisfied in the Samaritans.

"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 do not think is right.

"This industry has actually damaged families and damaged lives.

"To even consider lying in bed with these individuals 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, informed the BBC she had issues about the tie-up.

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

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

"For me it legitimises this promotion code service. I've met a lot of individuals who've lost loved ones, livelihoods and homes through addiction to gambling.

"Everything Samaritans does is to attempt to resolve the issues that all gambling companies have a function to play in creating.

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

In statements both organisations stated the collaboration will not simply assist Samaritans' fundraising efforts, but its insight and proficiency will also help Paddy Power Betfair care for vulnerable clients and develop and strengthen its policies in this promotion code area.

Paddy Power Betfair included it is "eager to discover from the wonderful work the Samaritans already do, in order to continually 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 big increase in grievances

12 August 2019

Gambling companies promise ₤ 60m to assist addicts

2 July 2019

Why is betting so addicting?

24 June 2019

'A banking app helped me beat my dependency'

6 October 2018

Gambling Commission - Home