Greyhound Racing Victoria

Last updated
Greyhound Racing Victoria
Greyhound Racing Victoria Logo.png
Sport Greyhound racing
JurisdictionVictoria
AbbreviationGRV
Founded1954 [1]
Location1/46-50 Chetwynd St, West Melbourne VIC 3003
ChairpersonThomas Salom [2]
Board members
  • John (Jack) Blayney (Deputy Chair)
  • Biagio Buccilli
  • Carly Dixon
  • Andrew Giddy
  • Lisa Tripodi
[2]
CEO Stuart Laing
Sponsor Sportsbet
Official website
www.grv.org.au

Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) is the statutory authority responsible for the promotion and regulation of greyhound racing in Victoria, Australia. [3] Its origins trace to the Dog Races Act 1954 (Vic), with its current functions established under the Racing Act 1958 (Vic). [4]

Contents

GRV oversees greyhound racing administration, integrity enforcement, animal welfare regulation, industry funding, and rehoming programs. The organisation has been subject to public scrutiny and reform, including findings of governance failures in a 2012 Victorian Ombudsman report and integrity reforms following the 2015 Australian greyhound racing live baiting scandal.

History

Origins and early regulation

Organised greyhound coursing in Victoria dates to the 1870s, with public meetings held in Melbourne and regional areas during the late 19th century. [5] [6] Early forms of the sport commonly involved live hare coursing, reflecting prevailing practices at the time, before later transitions to enclosed tracks and the use of artificial lures. For much of this early period, oversight was primarily handled through club rules and voluntary associations rather than dedicated state regulation. [6]

Establishment of statutory control

Victorian state statutory control of greyhound racing began with the enactment of the Dog Races Act 1954 (Vic), which created the Dog Racing Control Board. [1] In 1958, the Racing Act 1958 (Vic) consolidated legislation relating to horse, pony, trotting and dog racing within a unified racing regulatory scheme. [7]

The terminology used in the governing legislation shifted from “dog” racing to “greyhound” racing through the Racing (Amendment) Act 1971 (Vic), renaming the Dog Racing Control Board the Greyhound Racing Control Board. [8]

Transition to GRV

The governance framework for greyhound racing was substantially restructured by the Racing and Betting Acts (Amendment) Act 2001 (Vic). The amendments renamed the Greyhound Racing Control Board to Greyhound Racing Victoria and expanded its responsibilities to include broader commercial, integrity and operational functions alongside regulatory oversight. [9]

2012 governance and conflict-of-interest scandal

In 2012, the Victorian Ombudsman released a report into governance and conflict-of-interest failures at GRV, finding a long-standing culture of staff betting on greyhound races during business hours. [10] The report stated that members of senior management, including then Chief Executive Officer John Stephens, had engaged in such conduct over an extended period. The findings were tabled in Parliament and prompted intervention by the Minister for Racing, Denis Napthine, who dissolved the board (except for recently appointed members) and accepted Stephens' resignation. The episode led to strengthened conflict-of-interest policies and a prohibition on staff betting on greyhound races. [11]

2015 live-baiting scandal and integrity reforms

The industry faced significant scrutiny following the 2015 live baiting scandal, which was revealed in a February 2015 Four Corners investigation. [12] The program identified Bob Smith, a former GRV integrity and racing operations manager, in footage filmed at the Tooradin trial track in Victoria, and also identified a former GRV steward. [13] A subsequent own-motion inquiry by the Racing Integrity Commissioner, Sal Perna, resulted in regulatory and governance reforms, including the resignation of senior officials, strengthened integrity measures, and expanded animal welfare oversight powers. [14]

Post-2015 welfare and regulatory reforms

Subsequent legislative and regulatory changes further expanded GRV’s responsibilities, including the introduction of digital traceability systems and enhanced welfare standards, as reflected in the Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds and related regulatory instruments. [15] These reforms were intended to strengthen regulatory compliance while addressing animal welfare concerns and supporting the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Governance

Board

GRV is governed by a board appointed by the Victorian Government under the Act. [2]

The board is chaired by Thomas Salom, a former News Corp executive, [16] with John (Jack) Blayney serving as deputy chair. Other board members include Biagio Buccilli, Carly Dixon, Andrew Giddy, and Lisa Tripodi. [2]

Board members are appointed by the Minister for Racing for fixed terms and are responsible for the organisation’s strategic direction and governance, including oversight of regulatory functions, integrity, welfare policy, and financial management.

Executive leadership

Day-to-day operations are managed by a Chief Executive Officer, currently Stuart Laing, who reports to the board. Laing was previously marketing director at Racing Victoria. [17]

Integrity and compliance functions are delivered through the Greyhound Racing Integrity Unit (GRIU), overseen by the General Manager, Integrity, currently Shane O’Connell. [18]

External appointments

GRV holds a seat on the board of Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL), [19] the independent laboratory responsible for prohibited substance testing across the Victorian racing industry. [20] The position is currently held by GRV’s General Manager, Integrity. [18]

Funding and financial structure

GRV is funded primarily through statutory distributions of wagering-related taxation revenue, together with commercial and industry income. Under legislation, revenue derived from the Point of Consumption Tax (POCT) is paid into the state’s Consolidated Fund and allocated to the Victorian Racing Industry under the Racing Act 1958 (Vic). [21] The POCT applies to wagering operators on bets placed by Victorian residents, regardless of the operator’s location, and covers wagering on racing and other sporting events. [22]

In 2023, amendments to Victoria’s wagering and taxation framework established a revised industry funding model linking racing industry revenue to a legislated share of POCT receipts. The government stated that the changes were intended to provide long-term funding certainty for the industry. [21]

As a statutory authority, GRV prepares audited annual financial statements in accordance with Victorian public sector reporting requirements. [23]

In June 2024, the Victorian Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) published a policy costing which estimated that shutting down greyhound racing in Victoria and ceasing POCT-funded payments to the industry would improve the state’s net position by $264.3 million over 2024–25 to 2034–35, reflecting reduced expenditure partly offset by lower wagering tax revenue. The costing stated that it did not model substitution effects in wagering behaviour or potential contractual claims against the state. [24] [25]

Operations and infrastructure

GRV administers operational systems and programs that support the conduct, regulation, and administration of greyhound racing in Victoria, alongside associated rehoming and welfare initiatives.

Digital systems

FastTrack

GRV's primary digital platform, FastTrack, administers nominations, registrations, grading, and race results for the Victorian greyhound racing industry. [26] Launched on 1 May 2013 as a replacement for earlier legacy systems, it provides a centralised online platform through which registered participants manage administrative and racing-related functions, including greyhound and participant registrations, race nominations and scratchings, grading, ownership records, and prizemoney processing. [27] [28]

The system maintains comprehensive lifetime records for registered greyhounds in Victoria, including historical race results since its introduction, while providing public access to limited race and form information without a participant login. [29]

In 2021, an ABC News report raised concerns about the public-facing FastTrack database, noting that some deceased greyhounds were displayed as "retired" rather than deceased. Critics argued this limited transparency regarding end-of-career outcomes for racing dogs. GRV stated that the external FastTrack portal categorises greyhounds no longer in the racing industry as "retired", while more detailed retirement subcategories are maintained internally and used for official reporting. [30]

Watchdog

GRV provides Watchdog, a digital platform accessible via web and mobile devices, which offers live race schedules, race results, form guides, replays, and related racing media. [31]

The platform serves as a public-facing tool for accessing real-time and historical racing information and draws on race and form data maintained by GRV, including data generated through its FastTrack system.

Digital Greyhound Lifecycle Tracking (DGLT)

In March 2023, the Victorian Parliament unanimously supported a motion moved by Animal Justice Party MLC Georgie Purcell calling for the introduction of an automated whole-of-life digital tracking system for greyhounds in Victoria. [32] GRV subsequently committed to improving its whole-of-life tracking systems. In May 2024, the Victorian Government announced more than $2 million in funding for the initiative, consisting of more than $1.6 million from the state government and a $418,000 contribution from GRV. [33]

The initiative, known as the Digital Greyhound Lifecycle Tracking (DGLT) program, is a digital platform for recording and consolidating lifecycle data relating to registered greyhounds, including location, identification, and regulatory check-ins. [34] It enables registered participants to submit mandatory lifecycle check-ins relating to breeding, racing, property movements, retirement, and rehoming, and provides public access to basic lifecycle information and historical race profiles via an online portal. [35]

DGLT replaces manual reporting processes with automated digital recording intended to consolidate lifecycle data and streamline regulatory reporting. According to GRV’s 2024–25 Annual Report, the program was on track for full implementation in early 2026. [36]

Venues

Greyhound racing venues in Victoria are operated by individual greyhound racing clubs, with GRV exercising regulatory oversight under the Act. [4]

GRV classifies race meetings into three levels under its grading guidelines, reflecting differences in prize money, ranking points, and eligibility criteria. Level 1 meetings are metropolitan meetings, Level 2 meetings are provincial meetings, and Level 3 meetings comprise reduced-stakes meetings (including Tier 3, Rank Limit, and Bottom-Up subcategories) with additional entry conditions. [37] Venues may host meetings at different levels, including hybrid formats introduced in 2026, depending on the racing program. [38]

Under GRV’s infrastructure planning documents, the two metropolitan tracks primarily conduct Level 1 meetings but may also host provincial configurations and hybrid programs. [39]

Active venues

The following venues currently host scheduled greyhound race meetings. [40]

TrackLocationTypical meeting levels [37]
Sandown Greyhounds Springvale Primarily Level 1 (Metropolitan); includes provincial and hybrid meetings [38]
The Meadows Greyhounds Broadmeadows Primarily Level 1 (Metropolitan); includes provincial and hybrid meetings [38]
Ballarat Greyhounds Ballarat Typically Level 2 (Provincial), with occasional Level 3 meetings
Bendigo Greyhounds Bendigo Typically Level 2 (Provincial), with occasional Level 3 meetings
Geelong Greyhound Racing Club Corio Typically Level 2 (Provincial), with occasional Level 3 meetings
Healesville Greyhounds Healesville Typically Level 2 (Provincial), with occasional Level 3 meetings
Horsham Greyhounds Horsham Typically Level 2 (Provincial), with occasional Level 3 meetings
Sale Greyhounds Sale Typically Level 2 (Provincial), with occasional Level 3 meetings
Shepparton Greyhounds Shepparton Typically Level 2 (Provincial), with occasional Level 3 meetings
Warragul Greyhounds Warragul Typically Level 2 (Provincial), with occasional Level 3 meetings
Warrnambool Greyhounds Warrnambool Typically Level 2 (Provincial), with occasional Level 3 meetings

Provincial tracks predominantly host Level 2 meetings (with 622 scheduled for the 2025–26 season), though Level 3 or hybrid meetings may also be conducted depending on programming. [37] [40]

Non-operational venues

The following venues are registered or historically significant greyhound racing tracks in Victoria but are not currently hosting race meetings due to redevelopment.

TrackLocationStatus
Cranbourne Greyhounds Cranbourne In redevelopment; return targeted late 2026 [41]
Traralgon Greyhounds Traralgon In redevelopment; return targeted early 2026 [42]

Industry relations

Relations between GRV and industry participant groups have periodically been strained over prize money, administrative expenditure, and the regulatory impact of welfare and integrity reforms.

2021 prize money and regulatory dispute

In June 2021, participants represented by the Greyhound Owners Trainers and Breeders Association of Victoria (GOTBA Vic) indicated they would withhold nominations from selected Victorian race meetings as part of a dispute with GRV over prize money and participant treatment. [43] Media coverage and industry commentary reported criticism from participant representatives and leading trainers that consultation was limited and that key decisions affecting participants were made without adequate industry input. [44]

A central point of dispute concerned prize money and participant returns. GOTBA Vic argued that while total prize money had increased, the proportion of industry revenue returned to participants had declined, and criticised GRV’s administrative expenditure and expansion of the racing schedule. [45] During the same period, the association and some trainers also raised concerns about the practical impacts of integrity and welfare enforcement, including GRV warnings about the risk of inadvertent prohibited-substance positives from contaminated feed. [43]

In July 2021, GRV and GOTBA Vic entered an independent mediation process facilitated with the assistance of the Office of Racing, with both parties agreeing to suspend industrial action during negotiations. [46] The mediation concluded without agreement. GOTBA Vic subsequently stated that the process ended without substantive outcomes, while GRV stated it had participated in good faith and remained committed to prize money increases and improved participant engagement. [47] [48]

Participant criticism during this period also addressed the regulatory impact of the Greyhound Code of Practice introduced in 2020. GOTBA Vic argued that associated infrastructure and compliance requirements increased the cost of participation, particularly for smaller trainers and owner-operators. [45]

2025 nomination boycott proposal

In November 2025, further tensions emerged following a call by the president of GOTBA Vic for trainers to withhold nominations from selected Victorian race meetings in response to GRV integrity enforcement actions affecting a training property in Gippsland. Participant representatives described the action as a protest against what they characterised as a lack of compassion and overly rigid enforcement by GRV’s Integrity Unit. [49]

The proposed action was not universally supported within the association, with GOTBA Vic’s vice-president publicly stating that the move had not been endorsed by the committee and that some members intended to nominate as usual. [50] GRV stated that it had not received formal notice of any strike action and reiterated its commitment to open dialogue with industry stakeholders.

Rehoming and retirement

Greyhound Adoption Program

The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) is a rehoming initiative operated by GRV. According to a 2016 report in the Greater Dandenong Leader, the program was established in 1996 by Melanie Tochner and Anita Smith. [51] GAP facilitates the adoption of greyhounds, including retired racing greyhounds and greyhounds that have not raced, and operates a rehoming facility in Seymour, Victoria. [52]

According to GRV annual reports, GAP adoptions have varied year to year. Between 2021–22 and 2024–25, total GAP adoptions declined, alongside a reduction in the number of greyhounds rehomed for the first time through the program. [53]

Financial yearGAP first-time rehomedTotal GAP adoptions
2021–221,0941,317
2022–231,0821,302
2023–241,0091,171
2024–25784888

Feature races

GRV conducts a number of long-standing and high-profile races commonly referred to as feature races. [54]

References

  1. 1 2 "Dog Races Act 1954 (Vic)" (PDF). AustLII. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Greyhound Racing Victoria". boards.vic.gov.au. State Government of Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  3. ↑ "Regulatory approach". Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Racing Act 1958 (Vic)". Victorian Government. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "Celebrating 150 years". Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  6. 1 2 Haslett, Tim (2008). "Chasing Dreams: A History of Victorian Greyhound Racing" (PDF). Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  7. ↑ "Racing Act 1958 (Vic)" (PDF). AustLII. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  8. ↑ "Racing (Amendment) Act 1971 (Vic)". AustLII. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  9. ↑ "Racing and Betting Acts (Amendment) Act 2001". Victorian Government. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  10. ↑ "Own motion investigation into Greyhound Racing Victoria". Victorian Government Library Service. Victorian Ombudsman. June 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  11. ↑ Jenkins, Melissa; Iaria, Melissa (20 June 2012). "Greyhound Racing Vic board dissolved". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  12. ↑ Meldrum-Hanna, Caro (16 February 2015). "Greyhound racing: Piglets, possums and rabbits used as live bait in secret training sessions, Four Corners reveals". ABC News. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  13. ↑ Meldrum-Hanna, Caro (17 February 2015). "Greyhound live baiting: Former top official Bob Smith identified in footage aired by Four Corners". ABC News. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  14. ↑ "2015 Own Motion Inquiry into Live Baiting in Greyhound Racing in Victoria – Final Report" (PDF). Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner. 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  15. ↑ "Proposed Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds (2017) – Regulatory Impact Statement" (PDF). State of Victoria Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  16. ↑ Gardiner, Gilbert (23 September 2025). "Ex-News Corp executive Tom Salom appointed chairman of Greyhound Racing Victoria". Herald Sun. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  17. ↑ "'Midget Cup' race at Australian meet slammed". Reuters. 13 October 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  18. 1 2 "Shane O'Connell appointed as GRV's General Manager, Integrity". Greyhound Racing Victoria. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  19. ↑ "2024–25 Annual Report" (PDF). Greyhound Racing Victoria. Greyhound Racing Victoria. 2025. p. 46. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  20. ↑ "About Us". Racing Analytical Services Limited. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  21. 1 2 "Gambling Regulation Amendment Bill 2023: Second reading". Hansard. Parliament of Victoria. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  22. ↑ "Victorian Point of Consumption Tax Changes". Greyhound Racing Victoria. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  23. ↑ "2024–25 Annual Report" (PDF). Greyhound Racing Victoria. Greyhound Racing Victoria. 2025. p. 44–45. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  24. ↑ "Shut down the greyhound racing industry in Victoria" (PDF). Victorian Parliamentary Budget Office. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  25. ↑ Kolovos, Benita (14 August 2025). "Victoria could save nearly $500m over 10 years by scrapping greyhound racing, estimates show". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  26. ↑ "GRV FastTrack". Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  27. ↑ "FastTrack is Here!". Greyhound Racing Victoria. 1 May 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  28. ↑ "GRV FastTrack Client Portal User Guide" (PDF). Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  29. ↑ "Welcome to FastTrack". Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  30. ↑ Longmore, Justine; King, Charlotte; Burns, Andy (4 July 2021). "Dead greyhounds listed as 'retired' on Greyhound Racing Victoria website FastTrack". ABC News. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  31. ↑ "Watchdog". Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  32. ↑ Shepherd, Tory (22 March 2023). "Tracking technology to protect greyhounds will go ahead in Victoria after unanimous support". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  33. ↑ "Funds Unleashed for New Greyhound Tracing Tech" (PDF). Premier of Victoria. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  34. ↑ "Digital Greyhound Lifecycle Tracking program". Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  35. ↑ "Greyhound Tracking Portal". Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  36. ↑ "GRV Annual Report 2024-25" (PDF). Greyhound Racing Victoria. November 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  37. 1 2 3 "Greyhound Racing Victoria Grading Guidelines" (PDF). Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  38. 1 2 3 "Hybrid race meetings & grading changes". Greyhound Racing Victoria. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  39. ↑ "Victorian Greyhound Racing Assets & Infrastructure Discussion Paper" (PDF). Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  40. 1 2 "Phoenix moved among key changes to 25–26 racing calendar". Greyhound Racing Victoria. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  41. ↑ "Return to racing at Cranbourne well in sight". Greyhound Racing Victoria. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  42. ↑ "Traralgon works underway, return to racing in early 2026". Greyhound Racing Victoria. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  43. 1 2 Ractliffe, Damien (28 June 2021). "Greyhound trainers threaten boycott over prizemoney, 'unfair' treatment". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  44. ↑ ""Sad It's Come To This": GRV Discontent Widens". The Greyhound Recorder. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  45. 1 2 "GOTBA Vic – Current status of action items on returns, fairness and safety". Greyhound Owners Trainers and Breeders Association of Victoria. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  46. ↑ "Independent mediation for Victorian greyhound racing". Greyhound Racing Victoria. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  47. ↑ "Greyhound Racing Victoria Statement – Chair, Peita Duncan". Greyhound Racing Victoria. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  48. ↑ "Participant action: Mediation – Reply to GRV". Greyhound Owners Trainers and Breeders Association of Victoria. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  49. ↑ "Trainers To Strike In 'Message Of Solidarity'". The Greyhound Recorder. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  50. ↑ "Vice President Slams GOTBA Strike Action Move". The Greyhound Recorder. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  51. ↑ Mackowski, Belinda (31 March 2016). "Greyhound adoption program that started in Springvale finds homes for 6000 '60km/h couch potatoes'". Greater Dandenong Leader. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  52. ↑ "The GAP story". Greyhound Racing Victoria. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  53. ↑ "2024–25 Annual Report" (PDF). Greyhound Racing Victoria. Greyhound Racing Victoria. 2025. p. 12. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  54. ↑ "Feature Races". Greyhound Racing Victoria. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
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