Greyhound Racing’s Final Tracks in West Virginia Facing Nationwide Ban

In West Virginia, the final two tracks for greyhound racing in the United States hold on as a once-popular sport nears extinction. Greyhound racing used to draw millions of spectators, but soon the sport could be banned across the nation.

The Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino & Racetrack in Wheeling, West Virginia, is one of these last venues. The once-thriving industry saw fans placing bets in 19 states, from Florida to California. During the peak years of the 1980s and early 1990s, annual attendance figures were higher than those for hockey or tennis, and spectator bets reached almost $3.5 billion annually.

Today, only two tracks remain, both located in West Virginia. As animal rights groups have pressured state governments to ban the tracks, attendance has greatly decreased. Also, the spread of legal sports betting has provided gamblers with alternatives.

“Here comes Spunky!” an announcer’s voice declared, as the race began and eight greyhounds dashed onto the track. This scene echoes a time when dog racing frequently drew large crowds across the country.

Currently, a bill is progressing through Congress to potentially ban dog racing nationwide. Both supporters and critics agree that the sport’s future is hanging by a thread.

Ronald Welch, a fan of the races, expressed mixed feelings while sitting at the Wheeling track. “I know at some point, it’s going to end,” he said. “But still I’d be heartbroken if it did.”

By the early 2000s, public opinion about greyhound racing was already changing. Activists like Carey Theil and Christine Dorchak contributed significantly to the shift in sentiment.