Greyhound Advocates Applaud Oregon Governor Tina Kotek for Signing Historic Internet Betting Ban on Greyhound Races

New Law Ends the Processing of Most Internet Bets on Dog Racing Nationwide

ARLINGTON, Mass., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The largest greyhound protection group in the world thanked Oregon Governor Tina Kotek today for signing a bill to outlaw the processing of internet bets on dog races, calling the new law a landmark victory for greyhound advocates.

"This is the biggest victory for American greyhound advocates since Florida outlawed dog racing in 2018," said GREY2K USA Executive Director Carey Theil. "The walls are closing in on the final remnants of this cruel industry."

Internet wagers on dog races can only be legally processed in two states, Oregon and North Dakota. More than $155 million was gambled on dog racing in 2024 through these Advance Deposit Wagering platforms, with Oregon processing 57% of all internet greyhound bets nationwide. House Bill 3020 phases out the processing of greyhound bets by July 1, 2027. It also ends remote gambling on dog races in Oregon, known as simulcasting.

Greyhound racing is a dying industry, and only continues to exist at two tracks in West Virginia. Florida voters outlawed the activity in 2018 by a vote of 69% to 31%, closing twelve operational racetracks. A bill to prohibit gambling on dog racing nationwide was introduced in the 118^th Congress. The bipartisan Greyhound Protection Act earned the support of 80 cosponsors and more than 250 humane groups, anti-gambling organizations and local animal shelters.

Since 2022, greyhound simulcasting has been outlawed in the seven states of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Oregon. When all of these laws take effect, gambling on greyhound racing will only be legal in fourteen states.

All mainstream animal protection groups oppose dog racing due to animal welfare concerns. At the final two tracks in West Virginia, state records indicate that 487 greyhounds were injured in 2024 including 162 dogs that suffered broken bones and thirteen greyhounds that died. Thousands of dogs also endure lives of confinement at West Virginia tracks, kept in cages barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around for long hours each day.

About GREY2K USA Worldwide

Formed in February of 2001, GREY2K USA is the largest greyhound protection organization in the United States with more than 300,000 supporters. As a non-profit 501(c)4 organization, the group works to pass stronger greyhound protection laws and end the cruelty of dog racing on both national and international levels. GREY2K USA also promotes the rescue and adoption of greyhounds across the globe. For more information, go to www.GREY2KUSA.org or visit GREY2K USA on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Contact: Carey Theil, 617.501.6276, [email protected]

SOURCE GREY2K USA