Greyhound racing has produced less taxpayer money for the states, as public interest has waned in Florida and other states. Meanwhile, other forms of gambling have gained popularity. No. Greyhound racing is declining and unsustainable. Currently, 41 states ban commercial greyhound racing, and community after community, dog racing has been replaced by more modern forms of entertainment. On opening day at Iowa Greyhound Park in Dubuque, spectators crammed into a spacious room overlooking the track, drinking beer and mixed drinks while reviewing race statistics before placing bets at booths or with companions. They expressed disappointment that the line was closed and lamented the loss of an entertainment center in Dubuque, a city of about 60,000 people known for its majestic brick buildings and church spires built on hills overlooking the Mississippi River. At one time, Florida was one of the best-known states for greyhound racing, with 13 tracks scattered across the state. In November 2018, Amendment 13 was on the ballot in Florida, meaning the sport would be banned if passed. The voice of Floridians was heard — the amendment passed by a vote of 69 to 31, well above the required 60 percent. That meant a 26-month phase-out, and as of Jan. 1, 2021, greyhound racing is illegal in the state of Florida. The first greyhound in the United States was recorded in 1894,[5] and the oval shape of the race with a mechanical or artificial hare was pioneered by Owen Patrick Smith in 1912.

California was the first state to introduce an oval greyhound track in May 1920, it was the world`s first oval mechanical bait track. Smith opened the line at Emeryville. The Emeryville Arena was demolished in February 1920 to make way for the construction of a modern racetrack using mechanical bait, dubbed the „automatic hare” in the press.[6] [7] The first race in the new park took place on Saturday, May 29, 1920. [8] Now that the state has withdrawn from greyhound racing, four tracks in three states – West Virginia, Arkansas and Iowa – still hunt rabbits. The first state to legalize dog racing and pari-mutuel betting was Florida in 1931. Pari-mutuel betting is a form of betting where all bets go into the same pool and are divided equally between those who make the winning selection, with taxes levied on the house, which is usually a government organization or a private company. Pari-Mutuel Guide, Gambling Sites (last visited May 9, 2019), available at www.gamblingsites.com/sports-betting/types/pari-mutuel/.) Other states followed between the 1930s and 1980s. Growing public awareness that dog racing is cruel and inhumane, as well as competition from other forms of gambling, has led to the national decline of greyhound racing. The money brought in by live greyhound racing over the past decade has fallen from $117 million a year to less than $40 million. At Derby Lane, it went from $12 million to $4.3 million. Animal rights activists have long opposed greyhound racing, saying dogs live in cramped neighborhoods and suffer from harsh working conditions.

Greyhound racing is „a relic of the Depression-era that still exists today,” said Carey Theil, executive director of Grey2K USA Worldwide, a greyhound conservation organization. „We see dogs suffering and dying in races on Florida tracks that don`t want to hold the tracks.” Since 2001, more than 30 dog racetracks have closed across the country, and dog racing now accounts for less than one percent of all bets placed each year in the United States. Today, there are only 17 dog tracks left in the United States, including 11 in Florida until they must be closed by December 31, 2020. The result is that the 7,000 or so racing greyhounds in Florida run only to keep the poker tables full. These days, the Palm Beach Kennel Club — a sprawling field that also features simulcasts of horse racing elsewhere, a huge poker room, two restaurants, and several concession stalls — offers 15 dog races a day, with an additional 15 Friday and Saturday nights. That Sunday, the grandstand above the Atascocita store was a huge sea of empty seats, but the poker tables were full. Yes. Commercial greyhound racing is now illegal in more than 40 states, including Florida as of January 1, 2021. Between 2001 and 2014, the total amount spent on greyhound racing nationwide dropped by 70%. These include betting on live dog races and simultaneous play, where bettors bet remotely on races taking place elsewhere. Racing greyhounds endure a life in captivity, subjected to cruel standard practices, and suffer injury and even death.

Greyhounds used for racing are kept for up to 23 hours a day in cages barely large enough to stand up or turn around. Shredded paper or leftover carpets are used as bedding. With Florida`s ban, there are laws against sports in 41 states, according to Christine Dorchak, co-founder of anti-racing group GREY2K. At times, the sport has attracted more spectators than its larger rival, horse racing. While it was considered shabby by some, it has been mainstream entertainment for decades, Thayer said. As racetracks continue to close, the mission will no longer be to ban greyhound racing, but to find a home for all displaced dogs. Some will be sent to other available tracks out of state to continue racing, but others will go to animal shelters and adoption agencies, many of which may not have the capacity and resources to handle the influx of dogs. In addition to state laws and regulations, most routes adopt their own rules, policies, and procedures. In exchange for the right to drive their greyhounds on the racetrack, kennel owners must sign contracts in which they agree to respect all the rules of the track, including those related to animal welfare. If kennel owners violate these contractual clauses, they lose their track privileges and even their racing licenses. To obtain a license to own, handle a racing dog, or work in a kennel, canine professionals must complete an FBI background check and be authorized by the states.

In addition, the National Greyhound Association adheres to strict standards regarding dog care and handling. Failure to comply may result in lifetime termination of membership and exclusion from sport. [ref. needed] The next battlefield is West Virginia. The state has two active greyhound racing tracks, in Charleston and Wheeling. Both tracks are operated by restaurant and hospitality company Delaware North, which also operates Southland Casino Racing in Arkansas. The effort has been blocked by a tangle of conflicting programs between the tracks and other pari-mutuel entities, as well as powerful influences such as Disney, who fear legislative changes could bring additional gambling that would undermine the tourism and convention sector.