An Entertainment Abuses Article used with permission from All-Creatures.org


Christine A. Dorchak, Esq. and Carey M. Theil share the results of a new study which found that dog racing has no net fiscal benefit in West Virginia.


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New Ball State study finds dog racing at a dead end in West Virginia
From Christine A. Dorchak, Esq. and Carey M. Theil, GREY2K USA Worldwide, GREY2KUSA.org
February 2026

GREY2K graphic with greyhound
Image from GREY2KUSA.org


Dear Friend,

A new research study by the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University proves that West Virginia dog racing is at a dead end. Entitled The Economic Effects of Greyhound Racing in West Virginia, the report was commissioned by GREY2K USA Worldwide.

Released on Monday, the 54-year analysis has determined that greyhound gambling operations at Wheeling and Mardi Gras are almost entirely dependent on public assistance rather than market demand. Specifically, researchers point to the risk of West Virginia lawmakers giving $15 to 22 million in yearly subsidies to the two tracks in light of their “increasingly tenuous” economic position. Read today's story in WV News.

This groundbreaking and comprehensive study proves that there is no net fiscal benefit in the cruel continuation of dog racing. A copy of the report has now been shared with the governor and lawmakers as we fight for legislation to finally outlaw this cruel and outdated activity in the Mountain State.

Principal Ball State findings:

  • West Virginia dog racing is “unlikely to produce broad-based or sustainable economic gains."

  • The state's multi-million dollar annual subsidy simply keeps the industry afloat rather than generate a net positive return for the state.

  • Greyhound racing provides “limited economic benefit" and sustains only a narrow set of low-wage jobs producing no long-term employment, income, or GDP gains.

  • The entire economic effect of greyhound racing comes from a transfer of state tax dollars from other forms of gambling to the operators of greyhound racing.

  • A “substantial share” of winnings is paid to owners who reside outside West Virginia, resulting in “economic leakage” of potential tax revenue.

Thank you for caring. Together, we can end the cruelty of dog racing wherever it exists.

For the greyhounds

Christine A. Dorchak, Esq.
President
GREY2K USA Worldwide

Carey M. Theil
Executive Director
GREY2K USA Worldwide

Posted on All-Creatures.org: February 27, 2026
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