Key points:
- GBGB files judicial review against Welsh Government’s greyhound racing ban
- Legal claim filed in the Administrative Court for Wales
The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has initiated a legal challenge to the Welsh Government’s decision to ban greyhound racing, filing a claim for judicial review in the Administrative Court for Wales.
Mark Bird, CEO of GBGB, expressed opposition to the decision and reaffirmed the organisation’s support for regulation as the best mechanism to safeguard both animal welfare and the sport’s integrity.
He stated: “GBGB has always strongly opposed any ban on greyhound racing and continually encouraged policy makers to support robust regulation, which is evidently the most effective way to protect the welfare of racing greyhounds and the integrity and prosperity of the sport going forwards.”
The GBGB, which governs licensed greyhound racing across Great Britain, believes its claim is “strong and justified” and stated it is seeking to preserve the future of the sport within Wales. The judicial review claim has been submitted to the Administrative Court for Wales, King’s Bench Division, High Court of Justice.
Good to know: The judicial review follows a February 2025 statement from Wales’ Deputy First Minister calling for a racing ban
Greyhound racing has faced increasing scrutiny over welfare concerns in recent years. Supporters of the ban argue that the sport carries inherent risks for animals, while stakeholders within the racing community advocate for regulation and monitoring rather than prohibition.
While Wales is set to become the first UK nation to outlaw the sport entirely, in the first half of 2025, the state of Arkansas in the US officially ended greyhound racing.
These parallel moves signal a growing global reassessment of the sport’s place within modern entertainment and animal welfare standards. The announcement marks an important moment for the future of greyhound racing in Wales, where the sport has a longstanding history.
