New Hampshire Dog Racing Industry in Decline
8 August 2005
NEW HAMPSHIRE – As reported Foster's Online: "With the Lakes Region Greyhound Park closed for at least another season and the Seabrook Greyhound Park drastically cutting live racing days, it seems the state's greyhound racing industry is in trouble.
"But the recent developments at Seabrook are just par for the course, industry leaders say, as profits from live greyhound racing have been on a steady decline for more than a decade.
"Paul Kelley, director of the New Hampshire Pari-Mutuel Commission, said the trend is nationwide.
"…There are only 15 states with live Greyhound race tracks, according to the Greyhound Racing Association of America. Seven states have banned greyhound racing, including Maine, Idaho, North Carolina, Nevada, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
"…According to gambling industry statistics, live greyhound racing only accounts for .7 percent of the $61.1 billion dollar industry.
"…The growth of casinos in nearby states such as Connecticut is one reason live racing is declining in New Hampshire. The proliferation of video poker and slot machines in nearby states is another. Maine is expected to have slot machines at the horse track in Bangor soon…"