Greyhound racing in the United States
A race taking place in the United States
Start date	29 May 1920 at Blue Star Amusement Park, Emeryville

Greyhound racing in the United States is a sport^[1] and parimutuel gambling activity. The industry is regulated by state or local law and greyhound care is regulated by the American Greyhound Council (AGC)^[2] and the National Greyhound Association.^[3]

In recent years the vast majority of greyhound tracks have closed due to declining betting revenue, encroachment by Native American gaming and commercial casino gambling into states with greyhound racing, the legalization of sports betting and concerns over the welfare of racing greyhounds.^[4] Although many states offer online advance-deposit wagering as well as off-track betting and race and sports book betting, as of 2023, only two tracks currently conduct actual live racing onsite, both in West Virginia.^[5]

History

Joe Dump with trainer J. C. Stanley in 1979 , who was then world record holder in terms of total races won

The first greyhound in the United States was registered in 1894^[6] and the oval form of racing with a mechanical or artificial hare was started by Owen Patrick Smith in 1912. California was the first state to introduce an oval greyhound track in May 1920, it was the first mechanical lure oval circuit in the world. Smith opened the track at Emeryville.^[7] The Emeryville arena was torn down in February 1920 to make way for the construction of a modern racetrack using the mechanical lure, described in the press as the "automatic rabbit" ^[8] The first race at the new park was on Saturday, May 29, 1920 ^[9]

A greyhound called Joe Dump set a world record of 31 race wins in 1978 and 1979; the red brindle dog was trained by JC Stanley and owned by Joe Fallon and raced primarily at Greenetrack. The record was subsequently beaten by Ballyregan Bob in the United Kingdom.^[10] On 4 June 1994 a greyhound bitch called Pat C Rendezvous won her 33rd consecutive race to break Ballyregan Bob's world record and went on to win 36 consecutive races.^[11][12] In 1995, a greyhound called JJ Doc Richards won his 37th consecutive greyhound race to beat Pat C Rendezvous' record.^[13] In 1998, a greyhound called Leos Midas won for the 103rd time to equal the United States record number of total races won, the race was at Orange Park.^[14]

In Florida, the amount gambled at dog tracks declined by 72% between 1990 and 2013.^[15] According to a study commissioned by the legislature, the state lost between $1 million and $3.3 million on greyhound racing in 2012.^[16] In November 2018, Florida voters passed a constitutional referendum banning greyhound racing at tracks after December 31, 2020.^[17][18] Some Florida tracks closed earlier in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and never reopened before the December deadline. Live greyhound racing in Florida ended on December 31, 2020. However, simulcast, off-track betting and online advance-deposit wagering of live greyhound racing elsewhere remains legal in Florida.

Greyhound welfare

Crated greyhound at Jefferson County Kennel Club in Florida

At the two remaining American tracks, greyhounds are kept in kennel compounds. Most kennels turn the dogs out four to six times per day. Each turnout can be from 30 to 90 minutes.^[19] Because greyhound kennels often house upwards of 50 to 70 dogs, crating is essential to the safety and well-being of canine life.^[20]

In addition to state law and regulations, most tracks adopt their own rules, policies and procedures. In exchange for the right to race their greyhounds at the track, kennel owners must sign contracts in which they agree to abide by all track rules, including those pertaining to animal welfare. If kennel owners violate these contract clauses, they stand to lose their track privileges and even their racing licenses. In order to be licensed to own, handle a race dog or work in a kennel, dog professionals must have an FBI background check and be licensed by the states. Additionally, the National Greyhound Association holds their membership to strict standards towards the care and handling of the dogs. Failure to comply can result in lifetime termination of membership and a ban from the sport.^[21]

Simulcasting

Simulcast, off-track betting, race and sports book betting, and/or online advance-deposit wagering of live greyhound racing from Australia, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and West Virginia, remains legal in the following US States: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.^[22][23]

Active Tracks - West Virginia

Greyhounds racing at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack in October 2022. Live greyhounds in the background and statues in the foreground.

As of 2023, there are only two active greyhound racetracks in the United States,^[24] both in the state of West Virginia and owned by hospitality conglomerate Delaware North.^[25] Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has operated greyhound races in Wheeling since 1976, while Mardi Gras Casino and Resort, formerly known as Tri-State Greyhound Park, has operated in Cross Lanes since 1985.

Delaware North has noted that they make very little profit on live greyhound racing, but turn a modest profit on simulcasting.^[26] In November 2022, a spokesperson for Delaware North noted that the company "would support legislation to run its casinos without greyhound racing", and that year's change in the makeup of the West Virginia Legislature could see support for it dwindle.^[27] In 2021, House Bill 3093 was introduced to decouple dog racing licenses from racetrack casinos, "ending the state mandate for unprofitable greyhound racing."^[28] If passed, the bill, with the West Virginia House Judiciary committee since March 2021,^[29] would further weaken the economic viability of greyhound racing in the state.

At the two remaining West Virginia tracks, attendance is down more than 50 percent in recent years, but handle remains strong, at approximately $1 million dollars for each day of racing.^[30]

In addition to West Virginia, live greyhound racing is still legal, though not currently practiced, in the states of Arkansas, Alabama, Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin and Connecticut.

Closed tracks by state

Florida

Ebro Greyhound Park in 2017

• Biscayne Greyhound Track, Miami Shores (1926–1995)
• Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club, Daytona Beach (1948–2020) ^[38]
• Derby Lane Greyhound Track, St. Petersburg (1925–2020)
• Ebro Greyhound Track, Ebro (1955–2019)
• Flagler Greyhound Track, Miami (1932–2018)
• Hialeah Park Race Track, Miami (1922–2001?)
• Hollywood Greyhound Track, Hallandale Beach (1934–2020)
• Jacksonville Greyhound Track, Jacksonville (1934–2007)
• Jefferson County Kennel Club, Monticello (1959–2020)
• Key West Greyhound Track, Key West (1953–1991)
• Miami Beach Kennel Club, Miami Beach (1928–1980)
• Melbourne Greyhound Park, Melbourne (1990–2020)^[39]
• Naples-Fort Myers Track and Entertainment Center, Bonita Springs (1957–2020)
• Orange Park Kennel Club, Orange Park (1946–2020)
• Palm Beach Kennel Club, West Palm Beach (1932–2020)
• Pensacola Greyhound Track, Pensacola (1946–2019)
• St. Johns Bayard Greyhound Track, Jacksonville (1977–2000)
• Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club, Longwood (1935–2020)
• Sarasota Kennel Club, Sarasota (1944–2020)
• Seminole Greyhound Park, Casselberry (1981–2000)
• Tampa Greyhound Track, Tampa (1933–2015)

References