A new bipartisan federal effort, the Greyhound Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 5017), seeks to outlaw greyhound racing across the United States, effectively closing the last two active tracks in West Virginia. The legislation would also prohibit live lure training, open field coursing, simulcast wagering, and the breeding or sale of greyhounds for racing purposes, even for international competitions.
Nationwide Ban Aims to Protect Greyhounds
Introduced in August 2025 by Representative Salud Carbajal of California, the bill has 15 bipartisan sponsors, though none hail from West Virginia, which would be most affected economically. Carbajal stated: “Greyhound racing is cruel, inhumane, and unpopular with the American public – which is why nearly every state has already voted to outlaw it. As a member of the Animal Protection Caucus, I’m proud to stand with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that will finally put an end to this brutal practice and promote the universal welfare of our greyhounds.”
The bill targets not only live races but also practices such as open field coursing, where dogs chase live prey, and lure training, which uses animals like rabbits to train racing dogs. Simulcast betting on international greyhound races would also be prohibited. Violations could carry criminal penalties of up to seven years in prison.
West Virginia: The Last Stronghold
West Virginia remains the final U.S. state with live commercial greyhound racing. The only active tracks are Wheeling Island Hotel Casino & Racetrack and Mardi Gras Casino & Resort. In 2023, the state’s two tracks generated over $400 million in handle, and ongoing subsidies through the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund provide $15–17 million annually for breeding and racing payouts.
Delegate Shawn Fluharty, representing the area of one remaining track and president of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS), emphasized the local economic impact: “These are specialized economic and employment opportunities directly tied to the industry which would be gone tomorrow if racing is eliminated. Not to mention, the owners and trainers of these dogs are residents of West Virginia. They are business owners employing people locally.”
State-level attempts to decouple live racing from casino operations have repeatedly stalled. Bills HB3235 and SB753 were recently introduced to allow casinos to operate without maintaining live dog racing, but political resistance, veto threats, and legislative inertia have hindered progress.
Legal Tensions Between Federal and State Authority
The proposed federal legislation reflects broader debates over federal intervention in state gambling industries. Similar legal disputes have arisen over sports-related prediction markets and horse racing apps, highlighting tensions between state autonomy and nationwide regulation. If passed, H.R. 5017 would override state statutes and ban live greyhound racing by October 1, 2027, ending West Virginia’s last commercial dog racing operations.
As lawmakers consider the welfare of greyhounds against economic and cultural ties to the industry, the fate of the nation’s final live dog races hangs in the balance.
Source:
“Federal bill aims to kill last US greyhound racetracks”, sbcamericas.com, October 17, 2025
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