Source : Perth Now news
According to separate research, greyhound racing’s financial benefits far outweigh the rambling hurt and animal welfare issues.
Former Business Council of Australia analyst Stephen Walters has discovered that the game costs the state more than it brings about the future of greyhound racing as the West American government weighs up the future of the sport.
According to his report, which was prepared for security organization Wildlife Australia, the state government will spend$ 108.3 million on greyhound racing prize money, obligations to dog breeders, and other costs related to the market over the next three decades.
However, according to the cost-benefit analysis, 21 cents of economic value are lost for every dollar spent due to gambling-related harms, poor animal welfare, ineffective land use at training facilities and race tracks, and the diverting of taxpayer money to the sport rather than places like schools and hospitals, according to the cost-benefit analysis.
According to Mr. Walters,” Greyhound racing destroys Western Australia’s economic value.”
A parliamentary investigation into WA’s greyhound racing industry, which will begin on Monday, will look into transparency and concerns for animals as the government is under pressure to outlaw the sport.
Greyhound racing will be phased out by 2029 in Tasmania’s parliament in August, while New Zealand, Wales, and Scotland also have plans to do so in the upcoming years.
Mr. Walters acknowledged that the industry contributed to earning money and provided employment at racetracks and in related occupations like vet services and transportation, but argued that these benefits were” swamped” by costs in WA.
According to the report, the largest single cost is incurred by WA’s greyhound racing industry as a result of the long-term effects of family breakdown, mental health issues, income loss, and government funding, which the report identified as necessary.
It has already cost the state$ 110.5 million in 2026.
However, if WA does the same as Tasmania and shut down the gambling industry by 2029, the societal costs would only drop by 5 % because 95 % of the wagering on greyhound racing will likely be redirected to other gambling activities rather than non-wagering ones.
Although the overall social costs of the issue were thought to be significantly higher, they were difficult to accurately quantify, according to Mr. Walters. The costs of poor welfare outcomes for dogs like death and over-breeding were relatively low.
According to a 2025 DemosAU survey, the greyhound industry is already experiencing declining attendance, with the majority of WA respondents not supporting the sport.
The greyhound racing code “would not survive independently without substantial funding from taxpayers,” according to Mr. Walters ‘ report.
The state’s racing industry is the subject of a review by the state’s Labor government to ensure a framework for long-term financial stability. It is noted that it employs thousands of workers and contributes$ 1.3 billion to the WA economy annually.
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