Colorado implements ban on greyhound betting despite not having run a race since 2008
In a largely meaningless waste of time and money, the United States (US) state of Colorado has passed legislation that bans betting on greyhounds.
The move is a meaningless virtue signalling move from the state's rule-makers given the state has not run a greyhound race since 2008.
The new law is scheduled to take effect from October 1 2024.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Friday afternoon signed HB23-1041 into law, which will prohibit wagering on dog races conducted at out-of-state and international greyhound tracks.
Despite pandering to anti-racing zealots with platitudes, greyhound betting on dog racing continues to be very popular at off-track betting venues, which simulcast races occurring in states and countries where greyhound racing is thriving.
Last year Colorado gamblers placed more than USD $22.3 million on greyhound racing, making it the fifth-highest turnover state in the US.
The legislation also creates a greyhound welfare and adoption fund, which will provide USD $75,000 in funding over the next three years before it's repealed in 2026, however given there has been no greyhound racing in the state for over 14 years, the fund is nothing but window dressing.
Colorado becomes the fourth state in the US in the past 18 months to outlaw or restrict simulcast and account wagering on greyhound racing, following Kansas, Oregon and Massachusetts.
The accelerated rise of the legal sports betting industry in the US has brought many issues to US states who have previously been able to take a very sheltered and geo-centric view of the world from behind their state borders.
The new legislation has sparked various reactions from stakeholders and racing enthusiasts, reflecting the evolving perspectives surrounding animal welfare and gambling practices.
Advocates of the wagering ban emphasise the need to prioritise the ethical treatment of greyhounds and align racing practices with evolving societal values, but neglect to apply the same “societal value” standard to all wagering, or even state business.
Using The Greens political playbook from the NSW greyhound ban, anti-racing zealots preach ‘social licence', which by any quantifiable measure does not exist.
It is fictional term that everyone with an axe to grind uses, but nobody understands.
To anti-racing zealots social licence is a sword used to strike down specific pursuits, hobbies, projects or developments that they don't agree with.
This week it is greyhound racing; next week 5G broadband; the week after who knows?
In Australia, the woke application of social licence government policy born of anti-racing stupor led a NSW Premier and Deputy Premier to their demise, and ultimately the parties loss of government.
While the Colorado wagering ban has garnered support for its focus on animal welfare, it has also faced opposition from those who raise concerns about the impact on the racing industry and its associated economic implications.
Critics argue that greyhound racing and betting have long been intertwined, supporting the livelihoods of various individuals involved in the sport, such as trainers, breeders, and track operators.
The ban raises questions about the future of these stakeholders and the overall viability of greyhound racing in the US.
Colorado's ban specifically pertains to betting from within its borders only.
Colorado legalised sports in betting in May 2020 for all bets placed with regulated sportsbook apps and operators.
The state officially legalised sports betting through a referendum in November 2019.