Greyhound Racing in West Virginia: A Tradition on the Brink

West Virginia is currently the last state in the United States where greyhound racing is still active. This sport once attracted millions of spectators across the nation. Now, it faces a possible nationwide ban.

Greyhound racing at Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino & Racetrack in Wheeling, W.Va., represents the sole surviving venue for this fading tradition. Back in the 1980s and early 1990s, greyhound racing was incredibly popular, drawing crowds larger than those for hockey or tennis. During its peak, the sport boasted over 60 tracks in 19 states and generated around $3.5 billion in bets annually.

Today, only two tracks remain operational, and both are located in West Virginia. This decline is largely due to increasing pressure from animal rights organizations, which has resulted in many states banning dog racing. Furthermore, the rise of legalized sports betting has provided gamblers with numerous alternatives.

A new legislative proposal now moving through Congress aims to prohibit dog racing entirely. Supporters and opponents of the sport both acknowledge that its existence is nearing an end.

“I know at some point, it’s going to end,” remarked Ronald Welch, a spectator at the Wheeling track. “But still I’d be heartbroken if it did.”

The public’s opinion about greyhound racing began to change in the early 2000s. Key figures like Carey Theil and Christine Dorchak played significant roles in this shift through their advocacy efforts.