Is there still dog racing in Florida?

Asked by: Drew Wagner

Dog racing is now illegal in 41 states – and the two remaining tracks in Florida will soon have their last live races. The last one at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg is set for Dec. 27, and the Palm Beach Kennel Club will have its final one on New Year’s Eve.

Is dog racing still legal in Florida?

As of Jan. 1, it is illegal in Florida to bet on any races involving live greyhounds or other dogs. Nearly 70% of Florida voters approved the ban, known as Amendment 13, in 2018.

Are the dog tracks in Florida closing?

In November 2018, Floridians voted overwhelmingly to pass Amendment 13, which would ban greyhound racing in the state by the end of 2020. Since then, nine Florida tracks have already ended the practice, leaving the final two in the state running about 1,200 dogs down to the wire.

What states still allow dog racing?

Today, the only states that still allow greyhound racing and have active tracks are Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Texas and West Virginia. There are four states that do not have active racetracks, but still have laws legalizing greyhound racing. Those states are Wisconsin, Connecticut, Kansas, and Oregon.

Do they still have dog tracks in Florida?

There were 17 tracks alone in Florida. Once the Florida tracks close, there will be only four greyhound tracks left in the U.S., two of which are slated to close at the end of 2022. The last holdout will be West Virginia, which has two greyhound tracks.

Does greyhound racing still exist?

There are currently four active tracks in the United States. The remaining track in Iowa (which has long transitioned to focus more on its casino operations) announced that it will have a final 18-day season from April 16 to May 15, 2022 at which point it will close.

Which state recently banned the sport of greyhound racing?

Florida

The following are the most recent states to pass legislation prohibiting dog racing: Maine (1993), Virginia (1995), Vermont (1995), Idaho (1996), Washington (1996), Nevada (1997), North Carolina (1998), Pennsylvania (2004), Massachusetts (2010), Rhode Island (2010), New Hampshire (2010), Colorado (2014), Arizona (2016) …

Are there any greyhound tracks left in Florida?

Today, just 19 U.S. dog tracks remain active. But Florida is an outlier. The state is home to 12 of those greyhound tracks, which keep hosting races even as crowds and profits dwindle.

Why did they stop dog races?

Increased public awareness that dog racing is cruel and inhumane, in addition to competition from other forms of gambling, has led to the nationwide decline of greyhound racing.

What happened to Gulf Greyhound Park?

The track in Southeast Texas said the track was closed as of June 30, 2020. LA MARQUE, Texas — It’s the end of an era in La Marque. Gulf Greyhound Park is shutting down for good.

Does Texas still have greyhound racing?

The Texas Greyhound Association wrote to the state Racing Commission on September 24, 2021 and stated, “There is no uncertainty any longer; it is a simple fact that no greyhound races will run live in Texas in the foreseeable future.”

Who bought Gulf Greyhound Park?

In what city leaders say is the biggest economic news in 30 years, developer Jerome Karam and his wife, Leslie, have acquired Gulf Greyhound Park with plans to transform it into a 12,000-seat A-list concert venue.