Greyhound Simulcasts Prohibited in New Hampshire
On Tuesday, New Hampshire's Republican Governor, Chris Sununu, signed a legislation that will see greyhound simulcasting banned from January 1, 2027. This makes New Hampshire the fourth state in recent times to outlaw the broadcasts, where races are streamed live, allowing bettors to wager on the races even when not at the tracks.
Before this decision, greyhound betting had been illegal in New Hampshire since 2009. However, the new law not only ends live betting but also any form of greyhound betting. The only venue that offers simulcasting in the state, the racebook at Brook in Seabrook, will no longer be able to gamble on greyhounds.
Since the ban on live greyhound racing in 2009, Seabrook Greyhound Park (now known as the Brook) turned its attention towards casino gambling. It now provides charitable gaming through sports betting and historical horse racing machines. The simulcasting was kept from the initial ban to protect the economic interests of the Brook.
Connecticut's Sales Ban
This ban comes a week after Connecticut's Democratic Governor, Ned Lamont, signed a bill to prohibit live dog racing. Judging by the number of states, Connecticut is the 43rd state to end dog racing.
Although there had been no active dog tracks in Connecticut since the closure of Plainfield Greyhound Park and Shoreline Star Greyhound Park in 2005, supporters of the bill wanted to ensure that these tracks would never reopen. Simulcasting remains legal in the state.
Governor Lamont said, "Dog racing is a cruel activity, and it has no place in Connecticut." He continued, "It's hard to believe that at one time people thought of this as a legitimate sport, and I commend animal rescue groups for their efforts in raising awareness about the abuse and the harsh conditions these dogs face. Signing this bill was a straightforward choice."
Another Blow to the Sport
This move is yet another setback for a rapidly declining sport in America. Currently, live dog racing is only legal in two places - Wheeling Island Casino & Racetrack and Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, both in West Virginia.
In a dramatic turn of events, Florida, a former epicenter for dog racing in the US, stopped greyhound racing at the end of 2020. The ban was a result of residents voting to modify the state constitution to outlaw wagering on the sport, with an overwhelming 69% supporting the amendment.
Arkansas' last track, Southland, stopped running dogs at the end of 2022.
According to Carey Thiel, executive director of Grey2K USA Worldwide, a group dedicated to safeguarding greyhounds, "The walls are closing in on greyhound racing in the United States. Betting on greyhound races in the country has dropped by a significant percentage since 2019, and state after state is cutting ties with this cruel industry."
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Source: www.casino.org
