There are two greyhound tracks in West Virginia, Wheeling Island Casino & Racetrack and Mardi Gras Casino & Resort in Cross Lanes. Races are conducted year-round at both facilities, with a total of 513 race meets held in 2019.1 As recently as April 2022, a total of 560 dogs raced at Mardi Gras and 903 at Wheeling.2
Every year greyhound breeders in West Virginia receive roughly $17 million in subsidies, funds that could otherwise be used for vital state programs like fixing our roads or substance abuse treatment.3
The dogs racing at the state's two dog tracks are bred both in and out of state. According to the President of the West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association, close to 1,000 greyhounds are whelped in West Virginia annually.4 The breeders of West Virginia-bred greyhounds receive subsidies that come from the state's gambling profits. Since 2002, breeders have received over $77 million through the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund.5 In March 2014, lawmakers voted to permanently reduce such subsidies by ten percent.6
The West Virginia Racing Commission regulates greyhound racing in the state and enforces the Rules of Racing.
In 2019, the total amount wagered on live greyhound racing in the state was $13,645,945, a decline of 34 percent from 2010.7
Gazette Mail - Gazette Mail Editorial: Future of WV racing industry in trouble
WTOV 9 Fox - Bill could have major impact on local greyhound racing
WTRF - Leaders strongly disagree on future of greyhound racing
MetroNews - West Virginia is focus of renewed effort to do away with dog racing
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