Keep Welfare on Track
Protect greyhound welfare for years to come by signing Government petition
You can now add your name to a Government petition that is calling on bookmakers to pay a statutory levy to help fund the long-term welfare of racing greyhounds.
The petition forms part of the Keep Welfare On Track campaign, which is being delivered by our sport’s regulator, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB).
It calls for all betting companies to pay a minimum percentage of turnover from greyhound racing towards greyhound welfare – replacing a voluntary levy that sees bookies pay 0.6 per cent if they opt into the scheme.
Funding from bookmakers through voluntary levy contributions between 2008/09 and 2024/5 have decreased by 67 per cent in real terms, while bookmakers had a turnover of £800 million on licensed greyhound racing in 2022/23.
We are appealing for your support to change this by signing the petition and encouraging a debate on the issue in parliament.
Mark Bird, Chief Executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, said: “The long-term future of the greyhound racing industry depends on the voice of the people; and for anybody who cares about this historic British sport now is the time to make yourselves heard.
“It is critical that every bookmaker who takes bets from licensed greyhound racing pays an equal amount so that we as an industry can continue to provide the best standards of greyhound welfare.
“Every signature is a step closer to helping us keep the welfare of greyhounds on track, so once you have signed it, please ask your friends and family to play their part too.”
Under the GBGB proposals, the new compulsory levy would see financial contributions from betting companies rise from 0.6 per cent of revenue to resemble other best-practice schemes, as seen in British horse racing. As part of any new levy system, a final contribution figure would be negotiated between the bookmakers and the sport.
It would also ensure that every betting organisation supports GBGB’s comprehensive welfare strategy, ‘A Good Life For Every Greyhound’, which aims to further enhance welfare across all stages of a greyhound’s life.
This includes initiatives to assist with the costs of veterinary treatment during their racing careers, and GBGB’s new homing initiative for retired athletes – called ‘With A Greyhound’ – which connects potential pet owners with more than 100 accredited greyhound adoption centres across the UK.
To sign the petition, click here.
