From Prohibition to Promotion: Framing and Sourcing the Legalization of Sports Betting in the U.S.

This article examines the evolution of U.S. newspaper framing and sourcing related to the legalization of sports betting from 1991 to 2018, focusing on key moments surrounding the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and its eventual repeal. Thematic analysis of 440 articles reveals a dominant shift from moral/social and integrity concerns toward economic and legal/policy frames that emphasize state tax revenue, consumer protection, and market competition. Official sources—primarily elected officials and representatives of major professional sports leagues (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL)—consistently shaped the discourse, promoting legalization and regulation while marginalizing voices addressing social harms or problem gambling. The study highlights how media framing and source selection contributed to normalizing sports betting in the U.S., with implications for journalism and policymaking as states continue to develop regulatory frameworks.