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Greyhound racing clings to survival as betting declines and decoupling debates rage

From billion-dollar bets to near-extinction: How casinos and shifting laws are reshaping a controversial sport. Track owners and activists now agree on one thing—change is inevitable.

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1 min read
The image shows an open book with a drawing of two greyhounds running in a field, surrounded by...
The image shows an open book with a drawing of two greyhounds running in a field, surrounded by hills in the background. The book is likely a study of the greyhound race, as suggested by the title of the book, "The Greyhound Race".

Greyhound racing clings to survival as betting declines and decoupling debates rage

Greyhound racing continues in a handful of US states, but the sport is fading fast. Many tracks now rely on legal requirements to stay open, even as betting figures plummet. At the same time, a push to end mandatory races is gaining momentum from both track owners and animal welfare advocates.

In 1990, Florida’s live dog races drew over $1 billion in bets. By 2013, that figure had fallen to $258 million. The sharp decline came as casinos spread across the country, drawing gamblers away from the tracks.

Today, only seven states still host greyhound racing. Florida has the most, with 12 of the nation’s 21 active tracks. The others—Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Texas, and West Virginia—each have one or two. Four additional states allow the sport but have no operating tracks. Many tracks survive because casinos subsidise them. This financial support keeps races running, even when public interest wanes. Yet some owners now want to end the requirement to hold races—a move called *decoupling*. They argue it would let them focus on more profitable ventures. Animal rights groups back the idea, hoping it will reduce the number of dogs bred for racing. But Florida and West Virginia have so far rejected decoupling proposals. The horse racing industry also opposes the change, fearing it could set a precedent that weakens their sport too.

Greyhound racing remains legal in a few states, but its future is uncertain. Without decoupling, tracks must keep racing dogs to maintain other gambling operations. Yet with betting figures still falling, the pressure to end mandatory races is unlikely to disappear.

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