Greyhound Protection Act Phases Out Commercial Dog Racing, Betting, and Live Lure Training Nationwide by Late 2027

The newly proposed Greyhound Protection Act of 2025 aims to completely shut down commercial greyhound racing and its associated cruel practices across the United States. Starting October 1, 2027, this bill makes it illegal to participate in, facilitate, or bet on commercial greyhound races, which the bill defines as any event where dogs race and wagers are involved (SEC. 3).

The Final Lap: Ending Commercial Racing

Congress is stepping in because, frankly, the industry is already on life support. The bill’s findings section notes that out of 60 tracks operating 25 years ago, only two remain, both in West Virginia, and those are heavily subsidized. The legislation makes it a federal crime to knowingly buy, sell, train, or transport a greyhound for use in commercial racing after the 2027 deadline. This means that for the few people still making a living running these tracks—from the trainers and vets to the track staff—the clock is officially ticking. They have just over two years to transition out of the business, a necessary but difficult reality for those few communities still reliant on the tracks (SEC. 2).

No More Live Bait: The Animal Welfare Mandate

Beyond just the racing itself, the bill takes direct aim at what it calls the most egregious welfare violations: live lure training and open field coursing. These practices involve using small animals, like rabbits and hares, as bait to train or race the dogs, often resulting in the bait animals being chased, injured, or killed (SEC. 2). The Act explicitly bans using any live animal—other than inanimate objects—for training or open field coursing events involving greyhounds. Violating this provision is a serious offense, carrying penalties of up to seven years in prison and substantial fines. To make sure this ban sticks, the bill also updates the existing Animal Welfare Act’s definition of “animal” to specifically include “hare” alongside “rabbit,” closing any potential legal loopholes (SEC. 3).

Who’s Affected by the Betting Ban?

The federal ban also covers the financial side of the industry. It will be illegal to transmit or facilitate betting on greyhound races across state or foreign lines, including simulcast betting (SEC. 3). For everyday people, this means that even if a race were happening somewhere else in the world, US-based online or physical betting operations couldn't handle the wagers. This provision essentially cuts off the remaining financial lifeline for the industry, which relies heavily on broadcast and internet communications to handle bets and payouts, as noted in the findings (SEC. 2).

Strong Penalties and State Laws Remain

The penalties here are no joke. If you knowingly violate the new greyhound protection rules, each instance counts as a separate violation and could land you in federal prison for up to seven years, plus fines. The Secretary of Agriculture will be tasked with investigating violations, working alongside agencies like the FBI and the Treasury Department (SEC. 3). Importantly, the bill makes clear that it doesn't override any state laws that already prohibit gambling or offer stronger protections for animals. So, if your state already has stricter rules about animal welfare or racing, those rules stay in place, ensuring that this new federal standard acts as a baseline, not a ceiling, for animal protection.