Key Moments:
- The Scottish Government has announced support for a bill to prohibit greyhound racing.
- There are currently no active licensed greyhound racing tracks in Scotland, with the last shuttered in 2020.
- Betting on greyhound racing in Scotland has seen a steep decline, with gross gaming yield significantly trailing behind football and horse racing from April 2023 to March 2024.
Legislative Support Signals End of Greyhound Racing in Scotland
Greyhound racing in Scotland is on the verge of being banned, as the Scottish Government has thrown its weight behind legislation aimed at ending the sport. Mark Ruskell, a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) with the Scottish Greens, disclosed on X on September 9 that the governing Scottish National Party (SNP) will support his legislative proposal to outlaw greyhound racing.
Ruskell introduced the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill last year, receiving backing from fellow Greens, SNP members, and select members of the Scottish Labour Party. According to coverage from the Daily Record and statements from Jim Fairlie, Scotland’s Agriculture Minister, the government’s endorsement of the bill appears decisive, given the SNP controls 60 of the 130 seats in Parliament, and the Green and some Labour MSPs are also expected to support the measure.
Current State of Greyhound Racing in Scotland
No licensed greyhound racing tracks are presently operational in Scotland. Shawfield in Rutherglen, the last licensed stadium, closed its doors in 2020. The unlicensed Thornton Stadium in Fife was the only remaining active venue until it paused its activities in March. As a result, any potential ban is not expected to significantly disrupt local betting activity, as Scottish punters already wager on races happening in England, Wales, and countries like Australia, the Republic of Ireland, the United States, and South Africa.
❗️MAJOR CAMPAIGN UPDATE❗
🙌We are absolutely thrilled that @scotgov has confirmed it backs @markruskell's Bill that would ban greyhound racing in Scotland.
🤝This is a huge step forward. From everyone in the #UnboundTheGreyhound coalition to you; thank you. pic.twitter.com/VvLqBxGQh8
— OneKind (@onekindtweet) September 7, 2025
Impact on Bookmakers and Betting Revenues
The anticipated prohibition is unlikely to be a notable setback for bookmakers. Gross gaming yield (GGY) figures for the period between April 2023 and March 2024 were £900,000 for on-course greyhound betting and £139,000,000 for over-the-counter wagers, reflecting a considerable decline compared to previous years. Greyhound racing remains much less profitable compared to horse racing and is vastly outperformed by football in terms of betting volumes.
| Bet Type | Gross Gaming Yield (Apr 2023 – Mar 2024) |
|---|---|
| On-Course Greyhound Betting | £900,000 |
| Over-the-Counter Greyhound Betting | £139,000,000 |
Reactions from Stakeholders
Animal welfare groups and campaigners, including the Scottish RSPCA, Dogs Trust, OneKind, and Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (SAGE), have voiced their approval for the Scottish Government’s position, following years of campaigning for a comprehensive ban. Conversely, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has criticized the move, arguing it wastes legislative time in the absence of any current greyhound racing in Scotland.
Ruskell himself said: “I am delighted that the government is backing my bill. This is a big step towards ensuring that we protect our greyhounds and halt this cruel gambling-led sport for good.”
A GBGB statement read: “There is currently no licensed greyhound racing in Scotland. The people of Scotland will be totally bemused that the SNP government and Green Party are looking to waste parliamentary time in the run up to the election banning something that doesn’t take place here when there are so many issues that deserve and require legislation.”
Potential Influence Beyond Scotland
With the Scottish Government moving towards a ban, Scotland joins Wales in pushing to end the sport, possibly increasing pressure on lawmakers in England and Northern Ireland to consider similar measures.
- Author
Daniel Williams
