Responsible Gambling Guide: Resources & Safe Betting Tips

Gannett, the parent company of USA Today, has entered into a multi-year partnership with BetMGM, designating the latter as its official sportsbook and casino partner, effective immediately. The collaboration, announced September 16, 2024, will integrate BetMGM’s sports betting odds directly into USA TODAY’s digital content and stories across its network of more than 200 local U.S. Markets and 43 states.

The agreement aims to provide readers with direct access to real-time betting information, including moneylines, spreads, and over/unders, through a “Bet Now” feature. BetMGM’s Sportsbook and Casino will also be featured as partners on website footers throughout the USA TODAY Network. Gannett Chairman and CEO Michael Reed stated the partnership will “enable us to drive further audience growth and engagement” and anticipates an “increase in the overall monetization of our content platform.”

According to Reed, USA TODAY reaches over 44 million sports fans monthly. BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt echoed this sentiment, noting the company’s “unrivaled reach at a local and national level” will allow them to connect with a “massive audience.”

This partnership follows a growing trend of mainstream publishers collaborating with sportsbooks as regulated sports coverage and gaming content grow more prevalent. Similar deals include a 2022 partnership between the Chicago Tribune and Action Network, which provides readers with sports betting resources and promotions. Gannett may earn revenue from BetMGM for referrals to its betting services, though the company maintains that these revenues will not influence news coverage.

The collaboration comes as Super Bowl 59 odds are already being discussed, and as states like North Carolina and Illinois continue to develop their sports betting markets. BetMGM offers promotional codes for various states, including North Carolina, Illinois, and others, as detailed on USA TODAY Betting.