The West Virginia legislature recently passed a bill that would end the million in subsidies greyhound breeders and handlers at the state’s two racetracks receive. Lawmakers voted to use those funds for the expected 0 million state budget shortfall in the next fiscal year. Racing officials said if Governor Jim Justice signs the legislation, the greyhound racing industry will collapse, forcing several hundred people to find work in other states.
Subsidies for the racing industry began when slot machines and table games were approved. Slots and other casino games at the greyhound tracks provide part of the funds for the West Virginia Racing Commission’s Greyhound Breeding Development Fund, which in turn provides most of the purse money kennel operators earn when their dogs win or finish in top slots in the races.
A 2015 study suggested eliminating the subsidies since the greyhound racing industry’s economic impact barely surpassed them.“ State Senator Mike Azinger said, “West Virginia’s future is not in subsidizing losing ventures like these.”
Six states–Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa and Texas—host 20 greyhound racetracks; Florida has the most with 12. Pre-casinos, about 60 tracks operated in the U.S. In the last decade, greyhound racing ended in Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
