Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has not hesitated to put her signature at the bottom of House Bill 3020, the bill that effectively targets advance-deposit wagering services that previously allowed sports wagers on the outcome of greyhound races to be placed from Oregon.
Oregon Signs Landmark Greyhound Bill into Law
This decision exemplifies the broader opposition against the sport in the United States and the state in particular. In fact, Oregon banned greyhound racing in March 2022 when the former state governor, Kate Brown, signed SB 1504 into law.
Now, Kotek is following her predecessor’s example, signing the new bill into law and essentially prohibiting online betting on greyhound racing, which was a legal loophole allowed by the state, and allowing third-party websites to operate and accept wagers this way.
This is a huge blow to these services, as they generated about 57% of all online bets placed on greyhound racing in the United States, with a revenue of $155 million. However, the AWD services will not be switched off completely in one go. Rather, they have until July 1, 2027, to comply with the matter.
Biggest Positive Change Affecting Greyhound Well-Being Since 2018
This is one of the most significant developments for ending the cruelty that greyhounds are subject to since Florida ended greyhound racing in 2018.
The latest news from Oregon has been welcomed by GREY2K USA executive director Carey Taheil, who noted that both events were similarly important: “This is the biggest victory for American greyhound advocates since Florida outlawed dog racing in 2018. The walls are closing in on the final remnants of this cruel industry.”