Greyhound racing in the United States | |
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Start date | 29 May 1920 at Blue Star Amusement Park, Emeryville |
Greyhound racing in the United States is a sport [1] and parimutuel gambling activity. The industry is regulated by state or local law and greyhound care is regulated by the American Greyhound Council (AGC) [2] and the National Greyhound Association. [3]
In recent years the vast majority of greyhound tracks have closed due to declining betting revenue, encroachment by Native American gaming and commercial casino gambling into states with greyhound racing, the legalization of sports betting and concerns over the welfare of racing greyhounds. [4] Although many states offer online advance-deposit wagering as well as off-track betting and race and sports book betting, as of 2024, only two tracks currently conduct actual live racing onsite, both in West Virginia. [5]
The first greyhound in the United States was registered in 1894 [6] and the oval form of racing with a mechanical or artificial hare was started by Owen Patrick Smith in 1912. California was the first state to introduce an oval greyhound track in May 1920, it was the first mechanical lure oval circuit in the world. Smith opened the track at Emeryville. [7] The Emeryville arena was torn down in February 1920 to make way for the construction of a modern racetrack using the mechanical lure, described in the press as the "automatic rabbit" [8] The first race at the new park was on Saturday, May 29, 1920 [9]
A greyhound called Joe Dump set a world record of 31 race wins in 1978 and 1979; the red brindle dog was trained by JC Stanley and owned by Joe Fallon and raced primarily at Greenetrack. The record was subsequently beaten by Ballyregan Bob in the United Kingdom. [10] On 4 June 1994 a greyhound bitch called Pat C Rendezvous won her 33rd consecutive race to break Ballyregan Bob's world record and went on to win 36 consecutive races. [11] [12] In 1995, a greyhound called JJ Doc Richards won his 37th consecutive greyhound race to beat Pat C Rendezvous' record. [13] In 1998, a greyhound called Leos Midas won for the 103rd time to equal the United States record number of total races won, the race was at Orange Park. [14]
In Florida, the amount gambled at dog tracks declined by 72% between 1990 and 2013. [15] According to a study commissioned by the legislature, the state lost between $1 million and $3.3 million on greyhound racing in 2012. [16] In November 2018, Florida voters passed a constitutional referendum banning greyhound racing at tracks after December 31, 2020. [17] [18] Some Florida tracks closed earlier in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and never reopened before the December deadline. Live greyhound racing in Florida ended on December 31, 2020. However, simulcast, off-track betting and online advance-deposit wagering of live greyhound racing elsewhere remains legal in Florida.
Tracks adopt their own rules, policies and procedures in additional to state and local laws. In exchange for the right to race their greyhounds at the track, kennel owners must sign contracts in which they agree to abide by all track rules, including those pertaining to animal welfare. If kennel owners violate these contract clauses, they stand to lose their track privileges and even their racing licenses. In order to be licensed to own, handle a race dog or work in a kennel, dog professionals must have an FBI background check and be licensed by the states. Additionally, the National Greyhound Association holds their membership to strict standards towards the care and handling of the dogs. Failure to comply can result in lifetime termination of membership and a ban from the sport. [19]
Simulcast, off-track betting, race and sports book betting, and/or online advance-deposit wagering of live greyhound racing from Australia, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and West Virginia, remains legal in the following US States: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. [20] [21]
As of 2024, there are only two active greyhound racetracks in the United States, [22] both in the state of West Virginia and owned by hospitality conglomerate Delaware North. [23] Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has operated greyhound races in Wheeling since 1976, while Mardi Gras Casino and Resort, formerly known as Tri-State Greyhound Park, has operated in Cross Lanes since 1985.
Delaware North has noted that they make very little profit on live greyhound racing, but turn a modest profit on simulcasting. [24] In November 2022, a spokesperson for Delaware North noted that the company "would support legislation to run its casinos without greyhound racing", and that year's change in the makeup of the West Virginia Legislature could see support for it dwindle. [25] In 2021, House Bill 3093 was introduced to decouple dog racing licenses from racetrack casinos, "ending the state mandate for unprofitable greyhound racing." [26] If passed, the bill, with the West Virginia House Judiciary committee since March 2021, [27] would further weaken the economic viability of greyhound racing in the state.
At the two remaining West Virginia tracks, attendance is down more than 50 percent in recent years, but handle remains strong, at approximately $1 million dollars for each day of racing. [28]
In addition to West Virginia, live greyhound racing is still legal, though not currently practiced, in the states of Arkansas, Alabama, Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin and Connecticut.
Greyhound racing is an organized, competitive sport in which greyhounds are raced around a track. There are two forms of greyhound racing, track racing and coursing; the latter is now banned in most countries. Track racing uses an artificial lure that travels ahead of the greyhounds on a rail until the greyhounds cross the finish line. As with horse racing, greyhound races often allow the public to bet on the outcome.
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Canterbury Park, is a horse racing track in Shakopee, Minnesota, United States. Canterbury Park Holding Corporation hosts parimutuel wagering on live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing at its facilities in Shakopee and parimutuel wagering on races held at out-of-state racetracks that are simulcast to the racetrack. In addition, the Canterbury Park Card Casino operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is also regulated by the Minnesota Racing Commission. Casino games include blackjack, baccarat, Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, and poker. Canterbury Park also derives revenue from related services and activities, such as concessions, parking, admissions, and programs, and from other entertainment events held at the racetrack. Furthermore, Canterbury Park is pursuing a strategy to enhance shareholder value by developing approximately 140 acres of underutilized land surrounding the racetrack in a project known as Canterbury Commons. The company is pursuing several mixed-use development opportunities for the underutilized land, directly and through joint ventures.
Stronach Group, doing business as 1/ST, is an entertainment and real estate company in North America with Thoroughbred horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core.
Churchill Downs Incorporated is the parent company of Churchill Downs. The company has evolved from one racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, to a multi American-state-wide, publicly traded company with racetracks, casinos and an online wagering company among its portfolio of businesses.
A daily double is a parimutuel wager offered by horse racing and greyhound racing tracks in North America. Bettors wager on the winners of two consecutive races, pre-designated by the track for a particular race day. The wager is made before either of the two races is run, and is only successful if both of the selections are correct. The daily double is usually the first two races on the program, and most racetracks now also offer a "late double" on the final two races. Daily doubles may also be found in other sports with parimutuel betting, such as jai alai.
The Hialeah Park Race Track is a historic racetrack in Hialeah, Florida. Its site covers 40 square blocks of central-east side Hialeah from Palm Avenue east to East 4th Avenue, and from East 22nd Street on the south to East 32nd Street on the north. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The facility is served by the Miami Metrorail at the Hialeah Station at Palm Avenue and East 21st Street.
Wonderland Greyhound Park was a greyhound racing track located in Revere, Massachusetts formerly owned by the Westwood Group. It was constructed on the site of the former Wonderland Amusement Park. Wonderland opened on June 12, 1935, and formerly offered 361 races during its 100-day, April to September racing period.
Harrah's Pompano Beach, formerly Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park and Pompano Park, was a standardbred harness racing track and casino in Pompano Beach, Florida. It was billed as "The Winter Home of Harness Racing," as its tropical South Florida location makes it an ideal alternative for horsemen, when most of the racetracks to the north are subject to racing in snow, ice and bitter cold conditions. The track operated its live racing meet for about ten months out of every year, with a short break during the last half of June through the second week in August.
The Caliente Hipódromo, formerly named the Agua Caliente Racetrack and the Agua Caliente Casino and Resort, is a resort and casino that includes a greyhound racing and former horse racing track in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The racetrack opened in December 1929 at a cost of $2.5 million, while the adjacent Agua Caliente Casino and Hotel had opened in June 1928, later going defunct.
Mardi Gras Casino and Resort is a casino and greyhound racing venue located in the city of Nitro, West Virginia. It is located just off the Cross Lanes exit of I-64, 14 miles west of Charleston, West Virginia and 36 miles east of Huntington, West Virginia. Although it is located within the city of Nitro, it is served by the neighboring Cross Lanes post office.
Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack is a greyhound racino located on Wheeling Island in the middle of the Ohio River, which is a part of the city of Wheeling, West Virginia. It is located just off the Wheeling Island exit of I-70, about two hours east of Columbus, Ohio. The casino is also located approximately one hour southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Southland Casino Racing is a casino in West Memphis, Arkansas. Simulcast thoroughbred horse races from other tracks around the United States are also offered, along with greyhound racing from West Virginia.
The Big Easy Casino, formerly known as Mardi Gras Casino and Hollywood Greyhound Track, is a casino and formerly a greyhound racing facility located in Hallandale Beach, in the Florida, US. The casino features over 700 slot machines, virtual table games, free to enter poker tournaments and nightly entertainment.
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