New Law in Oregon Ends Betting on Greyhounds by Focusing on AWD Sites

Oregon has passed House Bill 3020, effectively prohibiting its advance-deposit wagering platforms from processing bets on dog races.

Once a popular form of entertainment, dog racing has come under increasing scrutiny over allegations of animal cruelty and mistreatment. As a result, the industry has faced growing opposition, with the United States steadily distancing itself from the sport.

Greyhound Racing AWD Industry Hit by New Bill

This legislative move reflects a broader societal shift driven by grassroots activism and a growing public awareness of the ethical concerns surrounding animal welfare in racing. The bill’s passage is also the biggest event in the greyhound racing world since Florida – a once the de facto capital of dog racing in the United States – said that it was going to prohibit such events as well.

House Bill 3020 passing through the Senate in a closely-contested 16-12 vote on Tuesday means that Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek will now have the opportunity to sign the bill into law and effectively limit the activities offered by companies such as Xpressbet, TwinSpires, and AmWest Entertainment.

This, though, is going to come at a cost. Although the ban targets dog races, the Oregon Racing Commission has cautioned that 75% of the funding funneled into the horse racing industry came from the ADW industry, and this will now be falling.

Industry representatives may also need to start relocating to states that will allow them to process such wagers, with North Dakota appearing to be the last available place to go. Ultimately, though, even North Dakota may not last long in this vertical, as interest in dog racing is simply not there.

Out of Breath

Younger demographics are particularly likely to be interested in the ethics behind the races, and whether the animals are treated well – they often are not. Greyhound racing has become illegal in 44 states, and only two venues in the United States cater to the sport: Wheeling Island-Hotel-Casino Racetrack and Mardi Gras Casino and Resort.

The industry is on its way out the door. While there will be short-term economic pain, the future of entertainment flatly excludes greyhound racing from it. Consumers and lawmakers tend to agree.

Since 2022, five new states have banned greyhound racing, including Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.