Scotland Bans Greyhound Racing, Betting Market Affected

^{Pictured: Activists and greyhound owners gathered outside parliament in Edinburgh ahead of the vote on the greyhound racing bill}

Scotland’s parliament passed legislation banning greyhound racing, the Daily Record reported. The bill was approved at its third reading on March 19 by a majority vote, with 70 lawmakers in favor, 27 against and 19 abstentions.

The law introduces criminal liability for organising greyhound racing, including the operation of tracks and the entry of dogs by their owners.

The measure is expected to result in the closure of the country’s last remaining track, Thornton Stadium in Fife, where races had been held intermittently in recent years.

Bill sponsor Mark Ruskell, a member of the Scottish Greens, described greyhound racing as an “outdated and cruel sport” closely linked to gambling. He said the campaign had gathered extensive evidence of injuries and psychological harm to the animals.

Industry data also point to the issue: in 2023 alone, 109 dogs died at tracks across the UK, with more than 4,000 injuries reported.

Animal welfare concerns were a key driver behind the ban. Lawmakers and animal welfare groups argue that existing regulations are insufficient to eliminate the risks associated with animal use in racing.

The decision is also expected to affect the betting market. Greyhound racing has traditionally been part of bookmakers’ offerings in the UK, and its ban removes a niche but consistent betting product.

Scotland has become the first part of the UK to adopt such a ban. In Wales, lawmakers backed a similar initiative a day earlier, and the legislative process to introduce comparable restrictions may begin in the near future.

Earlier, Gambling Park reported that rising UK gambling taxes had forced Coral to end its Cheltenham Festival sponsorship.