Gambling and News Industries Deepen Unprecedented Partnership

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News organizations are deepening their partnerships with the gambling industry, sparking ethical concerns over the intersection of journalism and betting. A new sponsorship deal between DraftKings and CBS News requires local stations to air four DraftKings ‘hits’ daily from October 26 to November 3, according to an exclusive report from Status. The deal has raised concerns among executives about the potential impact on public trust in election coverage.

Media Outlets Expand Gambling Partnerships

CBS News is not the first media organization to engage with the gambling industry. In late 2025, CNN announced a partnership with the prediction market company Kalshi, followed by CNBC. Kalshi’s data will be integrated into CNBC’s programming, including ‘Squawk Box’ and ‘Fast Money,’ with a Kalshi ticker running alongside segments. The Associated Press also joined Kalshi, aiming to expand its election data reach.

Wall Street Journal Joins the Trend

The Wall Street Journal has partnered with Polymarket, a competitor of Kalshi. The move is framed as an effort to provide readers with real-time insights into collective beliefs about future events. Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones, emphasized the importance of offering reliable data to help consumers assess risk alongside traditional financial indicators.

Ethical Concerns and Criticisms

Critics argue that the integration of prediction markets into news coverage could compromise journalistic integrity. The ability of reporters to influence coverage based on their own wagers raises ethical red flags. While a CBS News spokesman stated the sponsorship is strictly commercial and has no impact on editorial decisions, the partnerships continue to draw scrutiny over their implications for media objectivity.

Source: Daily Caller

Written by

Connor Davis