WASHINGTON, D.C. – A federal ban on commercial greyhound racing has passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the 2026 Farm, Food and National Security Act, putting West Virginia — home to the last two active dog racing tracks in the country — squarely in the crosshairs of the legislation.
The Greyhound Protection Act, included as an amendment to the Farm Bill, would end commercial greyhound racing nationwide. If it clears the Senate, the ban would shut down live racing at Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack in Wheeling and Mardi Gras Casino in Cross Lanes, both owned by Delaware North, the only two venues in the United States still operating commercial greyhound racing. Commercial racing is already illegal in 44 states, with recent bans enacted in Florida, Colorado, Arkansas, Arizona, and several New England states, among others.
Animal welfare organizations including GREY2K USA have championed the measure, citing concerns over dog safety and the alleged poor conditions greyhounds face in commercial racing operations. Opponents counter that the ban threatens jobs and revenue in communities with limited economic alternatives.
Members of West Virginia’s congressional delegation, including Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, say they will work to remove the provision before the bill advances through the Senate.
