- West Virginia is the only state where live greyhound racing remains
- A federal bill seeks to outlaw dog racing across the US
West Virginia is the only state in the country where live greyhound racing remains. A federal bill filed in August would force the Mountaineer State to cease its dog races. State officials have various opinions on what sort of impact that would deliver.
West Virginia’s 2007 gaming law requires that casino slot machines and table games operate only at state-sanctioned horse or greyhound racetracks where live racing remains. The lone exception is the Casino Club at The Greenbrier, which holds the only nonracing gaming license.
House Resolution 5017, introduced to Congress by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA) and 15 bipartisan cosponsors, would require West Virginia’s greyhound industry to close. That would have devastating consequences on the state, say some elected officials.
These are specialized economic and employment opportunities directly tied to the industry which would be gone tomorrow if racing is eliminated,” West Virginia Del. Shawn Fluharty (D-Ohio) told West Virginia Watch, an independent, nonpartisan news service. “Not to mention, the owners and trainers of these dogs are residents of West Virginia. They are business owners employing people locally.”
Fluharty is among the most influential state lawmakers in the national gaming industry, as he heads the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States.
Greyhound Abuse Overstated?
HR5017 remains with the House Agriculture Committee, the committee to which it was referred in August. No US representative from West Virginia has lent their name to the bill.
Proponents of ending greyhound racing claim a ban is needed to stop the inhumane treatment of the greyhounds. Some in West Virginia argue those welfare claims are outdated.
Those misconceptions of abuse and neglect are just people putting out lies. I always tell people, ‘Believe your eyes and not the lies,’” said Steve Sarras, a prominent greyhound breeder in West Virginia.
Sarras told West Virginia Watch that all race dogs are required to be examined regularly by licensed veterinarians.
“There’s no room for abuse and neglect,” Sarras declared, adding that greyhounds in West Virginia are “happy and healthy and extremely fit.”
Organization Says Abuse Remains Rampant
Opponents to greyhound racing say the dogs spend most of their racing days locked in cages. GREY2K, a nonprofit seeking to end greyhound racing, claims race dogs spend 20 to 23 hours a day in confinement, are drugged with stimulants, including cocaine, are subjected to cruelty, and regularly suffer injuries and death.
GREY2K Executive Director Carey Theil said West Virginia lawmakers could easily amend the state gaming law to do away with the live racing condition and transfer the $15 million to $17 million state greyhound racing subsidy that the casinos generate “anywhere it wants.” He says abuse of race days remains rampant.
According to the West Virginia Racing Commission, there have been 300 greyhound injuries reported so far in 2025, including 104 dogs that suffered broken bones and 12 dogs that died. This is one of the reasons why greyhound racing is now illegal in 44 states,” Theil told Casino.org.
“The walls are closing in on this industry. Since 2022, lawmakers in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Oregon have phased out greyhound simulcast betting. When these bans take effect, just 12 states will allow gambling on dog races,” Theil added.
West Virginia Casino Revenue
In 2024, gross gaming revenue won by the five casinos, plus online sports betting and iGaming, totaled $878.8 million — the state’s highest mark since 2012. The record revenue, however, was driven online.
West Virginia iGaming revenue soared 57% to $246.5 million. Online sports betting grew by over 16% to $55.4 million. Meanwhile, in-person casino win was down 3.5% to $576.9 million.
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