Greyhound racing numbers decline in West Virginia
In-person wagering at greyhound racing facilities in West Virginia has decreased by 13% between 2014 and 2018.
US.- The West Virginia Racing Commission‘s latest numbers show that the two greyhound racing facilities in the state have reported declines in the past five years. Between 2014 and 2018, in-person wagering at the greyhound racing facilities declined 13%.
Wheeling Island Casino in Ohio County and Mardi Gras Casino in Kanawha County experienced the 13% decline in that period. The latter’s live wagers fell from US$4.1 million in 2014 to US$3.12 million in 2018, representing a 24% decline. On the other hand, Wheeling totalled US$10.1 million in 2018, a 9% decline from 2014’s US$11.2 million.
Carey Theil, executive of GREY2K, said: “This is a depression-era industry that happens to still exist today and is not economically viable. [The industry] is dying all over the country,” Theil said. “Racetracks are losing money on dog racing all over the country,” he added.
Total handle, however, increased 19% in the five-year period, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel reported. In 2014, the facilities registered US$105.8 million, while they reported US$126.3 million in 2018. It is believed that the rise is due to an increase in bets from out-of-state citizens.
