Key points:
- The Welsh Government plans to ban greyhound racing “as soon as practicably possible”
- Nearly two-thirds of respondents in a public consultation supported a phased ban
- The decision raises questions about the impact on Wales’ only greyhound track and the wider industry
The Welsh Government has announced plans to ban greyhound racing, making Wales the first UK nation to introduce such a measure.
The decision follows a public consultation in which almost two-thirds of respondents supported a phased ban. A petition calling for the sport to be prohibited in Wales also received over 35,000 signatures.
Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “A petition to ban greyhound racing in Wales received over 35,000 signatures. This sits alongside campaign work by the Cut the Chase coalition, which includes Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue and the RSPCA.”
Irranca-Davies added that an implementation group would be formed to oversee the ban’s rollout and to assess the impact on those involved in the industry.
Good to know: The announcement has been met with criticism from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), which argues that the ban is politically motivated rather than based on evidence of welfare concerns
GBGB CEO Mark Bird said: “This announcement has nothing to do with greyhound welfare and everything to do with pressure from the extreme animal rights movement. The Welsh Government’s own ‘Summary of Consultation Responses’ highlighted the lack of evidence to support the case for a ban on the sport.”
We spoke to Bird on the ban of greyhound racing in New Zealand in December in the upcoming Sports Betting Focus issue of Gambling Insider.
The move puts the future of Valley Greyhound Stadium, the only licensed track in Wales, in doubt. The venue was licensed under GBGB rules in August 2023 and began operating under those regulations in November.
Its promoter, Dave Barclay, said he was not made aware of the government’s decision until the public announcement and questioned the consultation process. He also suggested that financial compensation may be required if the government proceeds with the ban.
A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council, commented: “The BGC and our members are deeply disappointed by the announcement by the Welsh Government of their intention to ban greyhound racing in Wales. Greyhound racing is a working-class sport, enjoyed by thousands, and this draconian move will cost jobs, hurt the economy, while depriving people of a long-established and legitimate source of joy.
“We are also concerned that this decision has not been based on evidence but instead taken to satisfy campaigners. BGC members are proud to support greyhound racing and contribute significant funds for the welfare of dogs. Last year alone, our members voluntarily donated over £7m ($8.8m) to the British Greyhound Racing Fund for the welfare of greyhounds.”
The decision comes amid broader discussions on gambling regulation and welfare policies in Wales. In 2022, Public Health Wales commissioned a report on gambling harms, identifying gaps in treatment services and limited public awareness of available support systems. Academics at Swansea University have also called for the establishment of NHS-backed gambling harm reduction services in Wales, citing rising gambling participation rates.
The Welsh Government has not provided a timeline for the ban’s implementation but has stated that it aims to proceed as quickly as possible.
The response from industry stakeholders and further legislative developments will shape the next phase of the policy’s rollout.
