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 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 - including relatives of people with gambling issues who took their own lives - say it is risking its credibility by dealing with the firm. Both organisations say Samaritans' insight and proficiency will assist Paddy Power Betfair improve how it helps susceptible consumers. The partnership involves activities such as fundraising, corporate contribution and offering. Samaritans states it will likewise assist it continue its work "to attempt to decrease the variety of deaths by suicide". "Appalling" But John Myers, who lost his kid Ryan five years ago when he took his own life aged 27 after ending up being addicted to gambling, said that was not a sufficient reason. "I'm extremely dissatisfied in the Samaritans. "They're a charitable organisation so they need to get money from other individuals, wherever they can. But to throw yourself in with the devil I don't believe is right. "This market has actually destroyed households and destroyed lives. "To even think of lying in bed with these individuals is incorrect and I think they should rethink 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 finest this is horrible and at worst it's terrible," she stated. "When you see them [Samaritans] aligning themselves to an industry with a track record for being accountable for suicides through dependency to gaming - it problems me.