Oregon Prohibits Wagering on Canine Racing, Seals off ADW Loophole
Title: Oregon Slams the Brakes on Greyhound Betting: What's the Big Deal?
Published on: April 30, 2025, 01:49h.
Revised on: April 30, 2025, 02:49h.
Author: Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc
Category: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming
Starting from today, Oregon closes a betting loophole by abolishing wagers on greyhound races. Despite greyhound racing being prohibited in the state since 2022, advance-deposit wagering sites (ADWs) licensed in Oregon have been accepting wagers for international and West Virginia races, the only US state still hosting live greyhound races.
Oregon happens to be one of two major ADW hubs in the US, sharing the spotlight with North Dakota. The vast majority of all internet greyhound race bets made nationwide are placed through the Oregon hub system via companies like AmWest Entertainment, TwinSpires, and Xpressbet.
Recently passed House Bill 3020 effectively prohibits Oregon ADWs from processing greyhound race wagers, hurting the state's ADW industry.
The Ripple Effect
This move could reverberate in the horse racing industry, as the Oregon Racing Commission (ORC) relies on ADW wagering for about 75% of its funding. Though greyhound wagers account for less than 2% of the total, it's still a noteworthy chunk, which might tempt ADW operators to relocate to North Dakota.
These concerns about animal welfare outweigh any minor financial disadvantages. The bill was sponsored by Oregon's Democratic governor, Tina Kotek, and enjoyed the backing of the ORC itself.
According to the ORC, over 10,000 greyhounds were injured worldwide at racetracks using the Oregon ADW system in 2023[1]. Betting on greyhound races in Oregon's ADW system declined by 38% between 2021 and 2023, with three Oregon-licensed ADWs choosing to discontinue greyhound wagering since 2022.
The Ebbing of a Sport
Five states - Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire - have already prohibited greyhound racing since 2022, leaving only two tracks in West Virginia hosting greyhound races[1]. Delaware North, the owner of these tracks, aims to discontinue racing due to its meager profits. However, the company must continue to hold races to maintain its casino licenses.
Oregon's shift in focus from greyhound racing to sports betting has paid off. Sports betting registered record handles ($90.2M in December 2024) and revenues ($12.5M in January 2025), generating substantial tax income ($6.2M in January 2025 alone)[2]. With sports betting flourishing, the greyhound betting ban seems almost symbolic in the context of Oregon's evolving gambling landscape.
Without specific data from North Dakota regarding ADW regulations or greyhound-related gambling activity, it's challenging to evaluate the direct impact of Oregon's ban on North Dakota. However, the national trend indicates a decline in greyhound racing to just two active tracks in West Virginia, which could suggest a shrinking market for any jurisdiction still permitting it[1].
Sources:
- Greyhound racing in decline across the United States
- Oregon's record-breaking sports betting handles and revenues
- Animal welfare concerns trigger Oregon’s greyhound betting ban
- Oregon has closed a loophole by banning wagers on greyhound races, a move that follows the state's greyhound racing ban in 2022.
- Despite Oregon being one of two major hubs for advance-deposit wagering (ADW) in the US, House Bill 3020 effectively prohibits Oregon ADWs from processing greyhound race wagers.
- The Oregon Racing Commission (ORC) relies on ADW wagering for about 75% of its funding, and the ban could potentially lead ADW operators to relocate to other states.
- The ORC reported that over 10,000 greyhounds were injured worldwide at racetracks using the Oregon ADW system in 2023, and betting on greyhound races declined by 38% between 2021 and 2023.
- With sports betting flourishing in Oregon, generating substantial tax income, the greyhound betting ban seems almost symbolic in the context of Oregon's evolving gambling landscape.
- With five states already prohibiting greyhound racing and only two tracks in West Virginia hosting races, the national trend suggests a shrinking market for any jurisdiction still permitting greyhound racing.
