No plans to ban greyhound racing in the rest of the UK
This comes after the Welsh Government recently announced a ban of the sport.
Key points:
– Lisa Nandy has described the “joy” brought by greyhound racing
– Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has welcomed the Secretary of State’s comments
A complete UK ban of greyhound racing is not anticipated to take place, after comments made today by Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy.
Last week, the Welsh Government announced plans to become the first UK nation to ban greyhound racing, with the decision being made after a public consultation showed two-thirds of respondents supported a phased ban.
However, when asked during questions in the House of Commons about whether that ban would stretch to the rest of the UK, Nandy underlined that there were “no plans whatsoever to ban greyhound racing,” highlighting the “joy” the sports brings to people and the financial contribution it makes.
In a statement reacting to Nandy’s comments, GBGB Commercial Director Mark Moisley said: “We welcome the comments made today by Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, that there are no plans to follow in Wales’ footsteps by banning greyhound racing.
“We are also encouraged by her comments about the joy that the sport brings to many people and the economic contribution the industry makes to the UK.
Good to know: Greyhound racing is set to come to an end in New Zealand in 2026
“We thank the Shadow Minister for Sport for his question following our meeting with him yesterday to brief him on developments in Wales and we look forward to continuing discussions with politicians across the UK on a cross-party basis to champion our sport.
“Greyhound racing is enshrined in British culture and contributes £164m ($207m) a year to the economy, employs 5,400 people, and remains one of the top ten spectator sports in the UK – and our priority is to ensure this continues, with the welfare of greyhounds at the heart of this.”
Gambling Insider recently analysed the greyhound racing ban in New Zealand in our Sports Betting Focus magazine.
Moisley continued: “As an industry we have made great strides in enhancing the welfare of racing greyhounds at all stages of their life – but we need more financial support from bookmakers in the way of a compulsory levy to secure the long-term future of greyhound welfare – and the sport.
“That is why we have launched our Keep Welfare On Track campaign, which is calling for all bookmakers to pay a levy that is statutory rather than voluntary.
“Next year marks the 100th anniversary of greyhound racing in the UK, and we look forward to working constructively with all governments across the UK to ensure that licensed greyhound racing is set up to thrive for the next 100 years.”
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