Summary
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]
| 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 |
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 edit
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 edit
Tracks adopt their own rules, policies and procedures in additional to state and local laws. 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.[19]
Simulcasting edit
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.[20][21]
Active Tracks - West Virginia edit
As of 2024, there are only two active greyhound racetracks in the United States,[22] both in the state of West Virginia and owned by hospitality conglomerate Delaware North.[23] 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.[24] 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.[25] In 2021, House Bill 3093 was introduced to decouple dog racing licenses from racetrack casinos, "ending the state mandate for unprofitable greyhound racing."[26] If passed, the bill, with the West Virginia House Judiciary committee since March 2021,[27] 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.[28]
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 edit
Alabama edit
- Birmingham Race Course in Birmingham (1987–2020)[29][30]
- Greenetrack, Eutaw (1977–1997)
- Mobile Greyhound Park, Theodore (1973–2017)
- Victoryland, Shorter (1984–2011)
Arizona edit
- Amado Greyhound Park, Amado (1963–1983)
- Apache Greyhound Park, Apache Junction (1959–2004)
- Black Canyon Greyhound Park, Black Canyon City (1965–1982)
- Phoenix Greyhound Park, Phoenix (1954–2009)
- Tucson Greyhound Park, South Tucson (1944–2016)[31]
- Yuma Greyhound Park, Yuma (1965–1993)
Arkansas edit
- Southland Park Gaming and Racing, West Memphis (1956–December 2022)[32][33]
California edit
- Baden Kennel Club, San Francisco (1933 - 1937)
- Blue Star Amusement Park, Emeryville (1920)
Colorado edit
- Clover Leaf, Loveland (1955–2006)
- Interstate, Byers (1971–2006)
- Mile High, Commerce City (1949–2008)[34]
- Pueblo Greyhound Park, Pueblo (1949–1999)
- Rocky Mountain Greyhound Park, Colorado Springs (1948–2005)
Connecticut edit
- Plainfield Greyhound Park, Plainfield (1976–2005)
- Shoreline Star Greyhound Park, Bridgeport (1995–2006)[35]
Florida edit
- Biscayne Greyhound Track, Miami Shores (1926–1995)
- Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club, Daytona Beach (1948–2020) [36]
- 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)[37]
- 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)
Idaho edit
- Coeur d’Alene Greyhound Park, Post Falls (1988–1995)[38]
Illinois edit
Iowa edit
- Bluffs Run, Council Bluffs (1986–2015)
- Dubuque Greyhound Park / Q Casino, Dubuque (1985–2022)[40]
- Waterloo Greyhound Park, Waterloo (1986–1996)
Kansas edit
- Camptown Greyhound Park, Frontenac (1995–1996)
- The Woodlands, Kansas City (1989–2008)
- Wichita Greyhound Park, Wichita (1989–2007)[41]
Massachusetts edit
- Raynham Greyhound Park, Raynham (1940–2009)
- Wonderland Greyhound Park, Revere (1935–2010)
Montana edit
- Great Falls Dog Track, Great Falls (1950's)
Nevada edit
- Las Vegas Downs, Henderson (1981 - 1983)
New Hampshire edit
- Belmont Lakes Region Greyhound Track, Belmont (1975–2005)
- Hinsdale Greyhound Park, Hinsdale (1973–2008)
- Seabrook Greyhound Park, Seabrook (1973–2010)[42]
New Jersey edit
- Union Kennel Club, Linden (1930's)
New York edit
- Nassau Kennel Club, Mineola, Long Island (1930's)[43]
Oregon edit
- Multnomah Greyhound Park, Fairview (1933–2004)[44]
Rhode Island edit
- Twin River Casino / Lincoln Greyhound Park, Lincoln (1977–2009)[45]
South Dakota edit
- Black Hills, Rapid City (1949–1994)
- Sodrac Park, Sioux City (1955–1995)
Texas edit
- Valley Race Park, Harlingen (1990–2017) [46]
- Gulf Greyhound Park, La Marque (1992–2020)[47]
- Gulf Coast Racing, Corpus Christi (1990–2020) [48]
Vermont edit
- Green Mountain Race Track, Pownal (1976–1991)[49]
Wisconsin edit
References edit
- ^ "Dog racing | Greyhound racing, betting, tracks | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ "Greyhound Care at the Track". American Greyhound Council. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ "Home Page". National Greyhound Association. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ Nichols, Mike (7 April 2012). "Dog tracks were the wrong bet (Opinion)". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ "The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
- ^ Jane Alexiadis, What's it Worth? Greyhound collection sale to benefit charity, San Jose Mercury News (23 December 2011).
- ^ "Emeryville Arena Being Torn Down; Lumber Used To Build Coursing Park— Automatic Rabbit Electrically Controlled Brings Ancient Sport Back Within Law", Oakland Tribune, February 13, 1920, p18
- ^ "Emeryville Coursing Park Opens Saturday", Oakland Tribune, May 27, 1920, p18
- ^ "No plans to move Joe Dump to another greyhound track". The Tuscaloosa News. 1978.
- ^ "Remember when: Pat C Rendezvous sets world record with 33rd consecutive win at Palm Beach Kennel Club". Cycle Cloud.
- ^ "Remember When Series - April 2018". Greyhound Star. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ "Dog Sets World Record". The Spokesman Review. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1998) April edition". Greyhound Star.
- ^ "Annual Reports". Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
- ^ "Gambling Impact Study" (PDF). Spectrum Gaming Group. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- ^ "Greyhound racing ban signed into law in Colorado". The Denver Post. The Associated Press. 10 March 2014.
- ^ "Greyhound Racing Banned in Florida". Greyhound Star.
- ^ "Greyhound Care on the Farm". American greyhound Council. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ "Greyhound Racing in the United States | GREY2K USA Worldwide". www.grey2kusa.org. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
- ^ "Association of Racing Commissioners International Factual Status of Greyhound Racing in the U.S." www.arci.com. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ Stimpson, Ashley (12 June 2023). "Saturday Afternoon at the Last Dog Track in America - Belt Magazine". beltmag.com. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Venues". www.delawarenorth.com. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
- ^ "Part Three: The Case To 'Uncouple' Greyhound Racing And W.Va.'s State Government". WVPB. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
- ^ "Will A New Legislative Makeup Affect W.Va.'s Greyhound Racing Industry?". WVPB. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ "Legislative History | Greyhound Racing Facts". greyhoundracingfacts.org. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ "Bill Status - Complete Bill History". www.wvlegislature.gov. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Going The Way Of The Greyhounds? - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report". paulickreport.com. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Live Racing". Birmingham greyhound Racecourse.
- ^ "As greyhound racing declines nationwide, the Birmingham Race Course is in 'survival mode". AL.com.
- ^ "Greyhound Racing". Arizona Department of Gaming Division of Racing.
- ^ "Florida votes end to greyhound racing; Arkansas track got a new lifeline". Arkansas Times.
- ^ "OPINION | REX NELSON: The last dog race". Arkansas Online. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ "Colorado tracks gone (forever) to the dogs". The Denver Post.
- ^ "Lights Dimming At the Dog Tracks Where It All Began". New York Times.
- ^ "Live Greyhound Racing Will Come to a Conclusion on Saturday, March 28, 2020". Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club.
- ^ "Our History". Melbourne Greyhound Park.
- ^ "Greyhound Park To Stop Racing Dogs Since Opening In 1988, Track Has Lost More Than $21 Million". The Spokesman-Review.
- ^ "Racing Comes to Grove City". Grove City History.
- ^ "Iowa Greyhound Park". KWWL.
- ^ Schaden, Marco (30 September 2022). "A greyhound track without greyhounds featuring slot machines that aren't slots". The Wichita Beacon. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ "New Hampshire Ends Live Greyhound Racing; Will Florida Follow Suit?". Broward Palm Beach New Times.
- ^ "DOG RACING OPENS TONIGHT; Nassau Kennel Club to Launch 90Day Meeting at Mineola". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
- ^ "Greyhound Racing Ban Falters In Oregon Legislature". OPB.
- ^ "HARD TIMES AT TWIN RIVER". The College Hill Independent.
- ^ "Valley Race Park". Valley Race Park.
- ^ "Gulf Greyhound Park". Gulf Greyhound Park.
- ^ "Gulf Coast Racing". Gulf Coast Racing.
- ^ "Lending firm seeks to foreclose on former Green Mountain Race Track site". Bennington Banner.
- ^ "Dairyland Greyhound Park". Greyhound Racing.com. Retrieved 9 December 2022.