Dog racing is illegal in 42 states
In forty-two U.S. states, commercial dog racing is illegal.
In seven states, all dog tracks have closed and ceased live racing, but a prohibitory statute has yet to be enacted. Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Iowa, Texas, and Wisconsin. 1
Pari-mutuel dog racing remains legal and operational in just one state: West Virginia
A greyhound dies following a collision at a U.S. track. (Tri-State Greyhound Park)
Puppies are bred for racing at a breeding farm in Kansas. (Blue Too Kennel)
Bs Sodbuster died of a heart attack racing in West Virginia. (Greyhound-Data)
Colton was born on a greyhound breeding farm in the U.S. (Jacobs Racing)
Racing greyhounds are caged for 20-23 hours per day in the US. (Pima County Animal Care Center)
A greyhound at a breeding farm in the United States. (Jacobs Racing)
A greyhound dies following a collision at a U.S. track. (Tri-State Greyhound Park)
Puppies are bred for racing at a breeding farm in Kansas. (Blue Too Kennel)
Bs Sodbuster died of a heart attack racing in West Virginia. (Greyhound-Data)
Colton was born on a greyhound breeding farm in the U.S. (Jacobs Racing)
Racing greyhounds are caged for 20-23 hours per day in the US. (Pima County Animal Care Center)
A greyhound at a breeding farm in the United States. (Jacobs Racing)
The following are the most recent states to pass legislation prohibiting dog racing: Maine (1993), Virginia (1995), Vermont (1995), Idaho (1996), Washington (1996), Nevada (1997), North Carolina (1998), Pennsylvania (2004), Massachusetts (2010), Rhode Island (2010), New Hampshire (2010), Colorado (2014), Arizona (2016), Florida (2018) and Oregon (2022). The United States Territory of Guam also outlawed commercial dog racing in 2010.
Since our formation in 2001, the dog racing industry has suffered catastrophic decline. Altogether, forty-six US tracks have ended dog racing and most have closed entirely: St. Croix Meadows (WI), Pueblo Greyhound Park (CO), Apache Greyhound Park (AZ), Multnomah Greyhound Park (OR), Plainfield Greyhound Park (CT), Geneva Lakes Kennel Club (WI), Post Time (CO), Shoreline Star (CT), Cloverleaf Kennel Club (CO), Jacksonville Kennel Club (FL), Tampa Greyhound Park (FL), Wichita Greyhound Park (KS), Corpus Christi (TX), Mile High (CO), The Woodlands (KS), Hinsdale Greyhound Park (NH), The Lodge at Belmont (NH), Seabrook Greyhound Park (NH), Wonderland Greyhound Park (MA), Guam Greyhound Park (Guam), Phoenix Greyhound Park (AZ), Raynham Park (MA), Dairyland Greyhound Park (WI), Twin River (RI), VictoryLand (AL), Jefferson County Kennel Club (FL), Bluffs Run (IA), Tucson Greyhound Park (AZ), Mobile Greyhound Park (AL), Melbourne Greyhound Park (FL), Hollywood Greyhound Park (FL), Flagler Greyhound Track (FL), Pensacola Greyhound Track (FL), Valley Race Park (TX), Sarasota Greyhound Track (FL), Ebro Greyhound Park (FL), Daytona Beach Kennel Club (FL), Sanford Orlando Kennel Club (FL), Birmingham Race Course (AL), Naples-Ft. Myers Greyhound Track (FL), Gulf Greyhound Park (TX), Orange Park Kennel Club (FL), Derby Lane (FL), Palm Beach Kennel Club (FL), Iowa Greyhound Park and Southland Park (AR).
In addition to live dog racing, greyhound simulcast betting exists in several states including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.2 In these states, gamblers are supporting the dog racing industry even though there is no active dog track in their community. Similarly, these simulcast signals depend on the existence of dog tracks in other states.
GREY2K USA Worldwide released the first comprehensive report on the humane and economic aspects of greyhound racing in the United States.
Read our report for an in-depth look inside this cruel industry.
Ways to Help U.S. Dogs
Imagine eight thundering greyhounds racing toward the finish line at speeds of up to 40 miles an hour as your heart pounds with exhilaration. Live greyhound races at Wheeling Island take place on our West Virginia track every day except Mondays and Thursdays – so come down, pick your favorite, and place your bet!
Capture the thrill of breathtaking Greyhound racing excitement at the Mardi Gras Casino & Resort. Dine on succulent steak or seafood at the Grill at First Turn while watching the races or as you eagerly wait for the final Greyhound racing results to be announced. Mardi Gras Casino is one of the only West Virginia racing establishment that allows you to bet, dine and win—all in one place. Witness LIVE dog track racing Wednesday – Friday at 7:00 p.m. and evening performances beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday—dont forget about the 10 cent superfecta
Experience the heart-pounding excitement of live greyhound racing at the Mystique racetrack from late April through October. Youll be on your feet cheering when these K9s come speeding toward the finish line! Mystique also televises live simulcast racing from the countrys top greyhound and horse racing tracks from around the world. Blvd. Agua Caliente 12027 Hipodromo Agua Caliente, 22024 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico Phone: (619) 231-1910 Email: Website:
Southland Casino Racing opened its doors for the first time in 1956. For many years, the greyhounds raced only seasonally from approximately April until October. As the popularity of the live greyhound races grew, especially during the late 1980s, the live greyhound racing season was extended to year-around racing; made possible when the racing surface was fitted with an underground heating system. Southland still holds some of the industrys all time attendance and wagering records. On September 24, 1981, nearly 21,000 people were in attendance, wagering over $1.3 million on that evenings racing performance. Other interesting Southland facts include:
