An Industry in Decline...

Growth Trends

Since the late 1980's, greyhound racing has experienced a serious decline in popularity that shows no sign of abating.

• Revenues provided to state governments in recent years have dropped by over 50% in numerous states around the country, including Connecticut,Massachusetts, Arizona, and New Hampshire.
• Between 1993-1996, the gross amount wagered on live dog racing nationwide declined by an astounding 47%.  In the last year alone, wagering for this form of entertainment dropped 23.5% (1995-96).
• Even with the addition of simulcasting and off-track bettering, the total amount wagered on greyhound racing dropped by 15.3% in the last year, and declined 28.6% in the last four years.

Source:International Gaming & Wagering Business (August 1995-1997) based on a Christiansen/Cummings & Associates report.

Trends Impacting Greyhound Racing

Although the business of "gaming" continues to grow at a strong rate, attendance at greyhound tracks is falling dramatically. In general, the industry is failing to attract younger patrons. The public seems more attracted to new forms of gaming and is increasingly knowledgeable about the killing and abuse that goes on behind the scenes in dog racing. Many tracks are continually begging for tax relief and other state concessions to keep afloat.  Numerous dog tracks owners are also looking to make their facilities "mini-casinos" by adding slot machines and other forms of gaming, but, many state legislators have shown a reluctance to open the hh gambling floodgates to save what appears to be a dying industry.   Gambling experts expect more tracks to close and increased emphasis on simulcasting and off-track betting.

Source:International Gaming & Wagering Business (August 1995-1997) based on a Christiansen/Cummings & Associates report.

Click here to read a recent Wall Street Journal article on how casino gambling threatens greyhound racing's future.

Industry Size (Consumer Spending)

• In 1996, U.S. greyhound racing was a $504 million industry. This figure represents gross gambling revenues after takeout (or less bettors’ take-home winnings).
• Overall, the total U.S. gambling market (lotteries, horse racing, casinos, Indian gaming, etc.) was a $47.6 billion industry in 1995.  Dog racing revenues represent only 1.06% of that industry.
• The gross amount wagered (parimutuel handle) on greyhound racing nationwide was $2.3 billion in 1996 vs. $3.4 billion in 1990 (a 32% drop).

Source:International Gaming & Wagering Business (August 1997) based on a Christiansen/Cummings & Associates report.

U.S. Greyhound Racing Revenues

According to International Gaming & Wagering Business (August 1995/1996), the U.S. gaming industry grew by 15% gross game revenues (less payouts/winnings) in 1994 and 11.4% in 1995. By comparison, live dog racing declined by 17.2% in 1994 and another 12.8% in 1995 - for a combined drop of 30%. Even with the addition of simultcasting and off-track betting, which have both shown growth through in relatively small dollar amounts, greyhound racing revenues dropped 4.2% in 1995.

Source:Track/state revenue analysis based on data published in the Greyhound Review

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Decline in State Revenue Derived From Parimutuel Greyhound Racing 

State	Years	% Change in Revenue
Arizona	1992 - 1996	-63
Massachusetts	1990 - 1996	-64
New Hampshire	1990 - 1996	-69
Connecticut	1992 - 1996	-86

(Note: since the greyhound racing industry no longer publishes aggregate information, the following data was compiled by GPL based on annual state racing commission reports as available; this is an ongoing effort.)