Oregon Prohibits Greyhound Wagering, Sealing Advance-Deposit Wagering Loophole

Dogless Oregon:

Oregon's just slammed the brakes on web-based dog race betting, sealing a major leak in U.S. online dog racing betting regulations.

House Bill 3020, signed off by the Oregon lawmakers, bars the state's ADW licensees from taking bets on greyhound races. Yes, greyhound racing has been outlawed in Oregon since 2022, but hey, who needs rules when you can find loopholes, right? Well, not anymore. Oregon ADW operators like TwinSpires, AmWest Entertainment, and Xpressbet were happily processing online wagers on greyhound races happening elsewhere, mainly in West Virginia and international tracks.

But now, with the passing of HB3020, those days are over. The bill will strip Oregon ADWs of their ability to process these wagers once it's signed by Governor Tina Kotek. That move will essentially shut down most online dog racing betting in the U.S., dealing a hefty blow to greyhound welfare advocates.

Let's cut the chase and understand why this matters:

Oregon Slams Shut the Online Dog Racing Loophole: A Crippling Punch to Dog Racing

1️⃣ Oregon Shuts Down the ADW Greyhound Betting Loophole

Alongside North Dakota, Oregon is one of America's central ADW hubs for dog and horse racing bets. While greyhound racing has been prohibited locally, Oregon ADWs could still handle bets on races elsewhere. But with HB3020 in action, this dirty little secret will finally be buried.

Although greyhound bets account for just about 2% of total ADW activity, as per the Oregon Racing Commission (ORC), their symbolic weight is mammoth. In 2023 alone, 10,542 greyhounds were injured during races connected to Oregon's ADW system worldwide.

Carey Theil, executive director of GREY2K USA Worldwide, a leading greyhound advocacy group, hailed it as "the biggest victory for greyhound advocates since Florida voted to end dog racing in 2018."

2️⃣ Economic Ramifications for Oregon's Horse Racing Sector

Now, let's talk dollars. The ORC relies on ADW revenue for about 75% of its funding. Although greyhound bets are a small fraction of overall wagers, the ban could still prompt some ADW operators to relocate to North Dakota, reducing Oregon's racing income.

However, the ORC supported the bill despite these concerns, making it clear that animal welfare outweighs minor economic losses.

Governor Kotek is expected to sign the bill into law.

3️⃣ A National Exodus from Greyhound Racing

Oregon's ban is just one piece of the much larger puzzle. The decline in greyhound racing is a nationwide story. Since 2022, a staggering five states – Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire – have banned bets on dog races.

Currently, only two tracks remain operational, both in West Virginia. Delaware North, their owner, has openly voiced support for legislation to end racing as a casino licensing condition, acknowledging the industry's minimal profitability.

Even in Oregon, the market has shown unmistakable signs of collapse: greyhound betting through ADWs dropped a whopping 38% between 2021 and 2023. Three Oregon-licensed ADWs have already stopped offering greyhound bets entirely.

A Clear Triumph for Animal Welfare Advocates

Suffice to say, Oregon's move signals a pivotal moment in the war against greyhound racing cruelty. By closing the ADW loophole, Oregon effectively ostracizes most U.S. online greyhound betting, leaving the last remnants of the industry fighting for survival.

As Theil put it, "The walls are closing in on the last remnants of greyhound racing in America."

Yes, the economic impact on Oregon's horse racing sector is worth considering, but the stated priorities are crystal clear: animal welfare trumps gambling profits. Oregon's ban on greyhound betting through its ADW system signifies a monumental leap in U.S. gambling and animal welfare policy. By closing a long-standing loophole, the state not only aligns its practices with ethical standards but also sends a potent message to the rest of the nation: greyhound racing's days are numbered.

Now, if you're intrigued to learn more about how this legislation compares with similar moves in other U.S. states, feel free to dig deeper!

The passing of HB3020 in Oregon marks a significant victory for greyhound welfare, effectively burying the ADW greyhound betting loophole that had enabled Oregon ADW licensees to continue taking online bets on greyhound races, even after greyhound racing was outlawed within the state in 2022.
Despite the ban potentially leading to a reduction in racing income for Oregon's ADW operators, as the industry relies on ADW revenue for around 75% of its funding, the Oregon Racing Commission (ORC) has supported the bill, prioritizing animal welfare over minor economic losses.
The decline in greyhound racing is a nationwide trend, with five states - Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire - having banned greyhound bets since 2022, leaving only two operational tracks, both in West Virginia.
The online sports-betting industry is closely monitoring this move in Oregon, as the ban signals a pivotal moment in the war against greyhound racing cruelty and could potentially lead to the collapse of the last remnants of the industry in America.
This ban on greyhound betting through ADWs in Oregon not only aligns the state's practices with ethical standards but also sends a strong message to the rest of the nation, indicating that greyhound racing's days may be numbered. Advocates of policy-and-legislation focused on animal welfare are optimistic that this decision could serve as a catalyst for similar movements in other states, further reducing the prevalence of greyhound racing and improving the welfare of these animals.