Greyhound Racing in West Virginia | GREY2K USA Worldwide     Download and read the full study here!

A 2026 study worth reading ends ANY speculation on this!  Check out this post which is on WV against Greyhounds Page (did you know we have one of those?) Facebook Greyhound Racing

Executive Summary Excerpt from above report. Please read the report. This must end!
This study examines the economic and fiscal effects of greyhound racing in West Virginia, the last U.S. state to maintain live greyhound tracks. Historically, the industry grew rapidly during the 20th century, peaking mid-century before a long-term decline due to animal welfare concerns, changing public tastes, and competition from casinos and lotteries. Unlike other states.  West Virginia sustains greyhound racing through statutory subsidies drawn from casino gaming revenues, primarily via transfers from video lottery and racino revenues into purse accounts and the Greyhound Breeding Development Fund. These subsidies, totaling roughly $15 million to $22 million annually, account for 95% to 97% of total purse payments, highlighting that the industry’s continued operation is almost entirely dependent on public support rather than market demand.
This study uses both historical economic literature and modern empirical methods, including difference-in-differences (DiD) and event study approaches, to estimate the local economic impact of greyhound racing. Results show modest, transient employment gains of approximately 0.38% in counties hosting racing, peaking two to three years post-adoption before dissipating. Pre-treatment trend analysis indicates that these counties were already on stronger economic trajectories, suggesting the measured effects are temporary bursts rather than sustainable growth. Input-output models confirm that the sector’s direct economic impact is roughly $17.5 million, barely exceeding the subsidies provided, with minimal tax revenue generated relative to public spending.
Overall, the evidence indicates that greyhound racing in West Virginia provides limited economic benefit, primarily sustaining a narrow set of low-wage jobs without producing long-term employment, income, or GDP gains. Fiscal analysis reinforces that public subsidies are essential to its survival, meaning the industry functions more as a legacy-supported activity than a viable economic development strategy. Policymakers are thus advised to weigh the opportunity costs of continued support against alternative uses of public funds, as the industry’s broader economic contribution remains minimal and increasingly tenuous.

Under the house or porch is not adequate shelter for an outdoor dog.  Nor are barrels, lean to’s, cardboard or other disposable boxes, plastic drums, or vehicles.   A bill SB 867 entitled ‘’WV Safe Outdoor Dogs Act’ has been introduced into the Senate sponsored by Sen. Chapman to offer more detail on adequate and inadequate shelter for outside dogs in this session.  Many are seeing and hearing about dangerous and brutally cold situations of puppies and dogs freezing during this prolonged cold in our state. And think of all those that go unreported without the public outrage.  This bill as law is very much needed.    Along with Sen. Chaoman as lead sponsor, Sen. Scott Fuller is now another sponsor on SB 867. He is from Caball and Wayne and is a retired law enforcement Officer….Come on more sponsors….

 Advocates, we need this bill in WV code.  Check the detailed description of adequate outdoor shelter for a dog and what is inadequate.   Feb. 17 is the last date for a bill to be introduced into the House this session.  This bill also needs to be introduced into the House of Delegates.  Maybe your legislator will step up to be a sponsor too. Here is the the bill that has been introduced into the Senate.    

Hearing pushback on the temps in this bill from the House side as it is attempting to be introduced into the House.     

WV Safe Outdoor Dogs Act 2.2.26 draft